BJP-led NDA likley to adopt 100:30:10 seat equation for upcoming Kerala Assembly elections

Thiruvananthapuram: Riding on its much-publicised victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is reportedly readying a new electoral strategy for the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls. Reports say that instead of attempting a statewide churn, the focus will be on regions where it believes it has a solid vote base and realistic chances of victory.

National leaders are expected to arrive shortly to hold discussions, including candidate selection, for these priority constituencies. Vinod Tawde, the national general secretary in charge of Kerala, is expected to arrive in the coming days. BJP national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to visit the state in early February.

Seat-sharing plan with allies

Kerala has a total of 140 Assembly constituencies. The BJP plans to contest 100 seats itself, allot around 30 seats to its key ally, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), and about 10 seats to other partners, including the newly joined Twenty20.

BDJS is expected to receive special consideration to secure the backing of the SNDP Yogam, while the BJP plans to field public figures and personalities with celebrity appeal in select constituencies.

Focus on select regions

The party is optimistic about making major gains in Thiruvananthapuram. It also plans to intensify efforts in areas it considers strongholds, including urban pockets of Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Aranmula, Poonjar, Pala, Kanjirappally, Thripunithura, regions in Ernakulam district where Twenty20 has influence, Thrissur, Kodungallur, Palakkad town, Shoranur, Kozhikode city areas, Thalassery and Manjeshwar. According to party assessments, these constituencies have strong vote banks that could translate into electoral success.