Kochi,: Speculation is rife within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the National Council meeting concludes, with reports suggesting the party is considering fielding its National Secretary, Anil K Antony, in both the Pathanamthitta and Chalakudy constituencies for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala. While the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), an NDA ally, has expressed interest in the Chalakudy seat, no final decision on the nomination has been reached.
Party leaders are buoyed by the prospect of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi running as a candidate in the neighboring Thrissur constituency, believing it could positively impact the BJP’s performance in Chalakudy, especially if a candidate like Anil K Antony, who hails from the Catholic community, is selected.
Meanwhile, the search for a suitable female candidate in the Ernakulam constituency is also underway. Despite the initial consideration of a high-ranking state official, who has since declined the interest, the party is actively seeking a candidate who is well-regarded within party circles, according to BJP sources.
Several prominent women leaders are being speculated for the Ernakulam constituency, including Mahila Morcha state office bearer Vineeta Hariharan, BJP state spokesperson TP Sindhumol, state committee member CV Sajani, Padmaja S Menon, and Yuva Morcha leader Smitha Menon.
The district leadership is optimistic that the selection of a candidate aligning with the party’s preferences will be finalized shortly. With the Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, the BJP’s strategic candidate choices in these key constituencies will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the party’s performance in the state.
