THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the BJP gears up for candidate selection in Kerala’s ‘priority constituencies’, discussions surrounding its picks for the Thiruvananthapuram Central constituency are gaining momentum, though the seat is not likely to be included in the party’s first candidate list.
Businessman Rajasekharan Nair, actor-turned-politician G Krishnakumar and the party’s Thiruvananthapuram City district president Karamana Jayan are among the BJP’s probables for the seat.
Jayan, who enjoys good support among party workers and well-wishers, had been the preferred choice for the constituency in the lower levels. However, the names of Nair, who was the party’s Neyyattinkara candidate in the 2021 assembly elections, and BJP national council member Krishnakumar, who contested from the constituency last time and garnered about 27% votes, surfaced recently.
Talking about chances, Jayan has an edge owing to the long time he put in working for the Sangh Parivar.
“Jayan played an instrumental role in BJP’s prestigious win in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation. His participation could energise our workers, but everything depends on how the top leaders decide to take things forward,” said a senior party member.
Meanwhile, Nair shares a good equation with top leaders in the party national leadership, and hence his chances of getting a shot at the seat are also good.
As for Krishnakumar, the fact that he proved his support in the last election is likely to work in his favour when the BJP considers candidates. His name is also under consideration for the Vattiyoorkavu constituency.
A senior party member said the leadership has not taken a final decision.
“Since no other major party has announced their candidates, we are not in a hurry. Everything will depend on the instructions from the party’s central leadership,” the member told TNIE.
Meanwhile, the party has nearly fixed the candidates in other key constituencies of the district. While BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar will contest in Nemom, former Union Minister V Muraleedharan will contest in Kazhakkoottam. Former state president P K Krishnadas will most likely be fielded from Kattakkada, where he is expecting his first win, for the fourth consecutive time.
Vattiyoorkavu is another constituency where the party has high hopes, and the name of ex-DGP and Sasthamangalam councillor R Sreelekha is among the names doing the rounds.