First BJP run; backed by Suresh Gopi: Padmaja Venugopal aims to overturn past defeats
Thrissur: At 66, Padmaja Venugopal is preparing for her fourth electoral contest, but for the first time under a BJP banner, signalling a dramatic shift in her political journey.
A three-time Congress candidate, Padmaja is stepping into unfamiliar territory after years of campaigning under her family’s traditional party. She is the daughter of the late K. Karunakaran, four-time Kerala Chief Minister and a towering Congress leader, whose legacy shaped much of the state’s political landscape.
A turbulent political journey
During his prime, Karunakaran guided his son, K. Muraleedharan, into politics. In Muraleedharan’s debut in 1989, he defeated CPM leader Imbichi Bava, reinforcing the Karunakaran family’s political influence.
Padmaja’s path, however, was far less straightforward. She first contested in 2004 from Mukundapuram, a Congress stronghold, but suffered defeat. As her father’s health and influence declined, her opportunities within Congress diminished.
She returned to electoral politics in 2016 from Thrissur, only to lose again. In 2021, she came agonisingly close, falling short by just 946 votes in a seat traditionally seen as critical. Observers noted that actor-turned-BJP candidate Suresh Gopi disrupted vote patterns, affecting her narrowly missed victory.
Shift to BJP and new alliances
Months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, citing poor treatment and lack of recognition within Congress, Padmaja joined the BJP, marking a major political realignment.
Reports now indicate she is likely to contest again from Thrissur. With Suresh Gopi, fresh from his Lok Sabha win in 2024, backing her, her prospects have gained a new dimension.
For Padmaja, this contest represents not only a political challenge but a chance for redemption, after twice narrowly missing the Thrissur seat. She told IANS, “I am a loyal soldier of the party and will abide by whatever directives are issued by the BJP leadership regarding my candidature and campaign.”