A saffron win: Suresh Gopi does the job for BJP in Kerala

Thrissur: In the 2016 assembly elections, both the UDF and LDF fought fiercely to retain power. While answering the question of a journalist, A K Antony, a senior Congress leader, dismissed BJP's prospects in Kerala, likening them to mere spectators in the assembly. However, the post-election results unveiled a different reality as the BJP, led by O Rajagopal, began to make significant strides.

Rajagopal's vote tally surged from 43,663 in 2011 to an impressive 67,813 in 2016. BJP veteran K Surendran narrowly missed victory in Manjeswaram, losing by a mere 29 votes. BJP’s vote share tripled in 2016 from a mere 6.06 percent. Although the subsequent elections saw the BJP lose its seats, it managed to increase its vote share in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, setting the stage for a repeat performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a bold prediction during a party event in Thiruvananthapuram, foreseeing a two-digit win for the NDA in Kerala. Though the prediction did not come true, Suresh Gopi's victory did come as a morale booster for the BJP as it ended their long wait for a win in the Lok Sabha elections in the state.  

For a while now, Suresh Gopi has been an active participant in the political arena, representing the BJP. Early on, Gopi embarked on an extensive campaign, making multiple visits to the constituency and ensuring his presence in key vote banks. His political journey officially began in April 2016 when he took oath as a Member of the Rajya Sabha, after which he joined the BJP in October 2016. Although unsuccessful in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2021 State Assembly polls in Thrissur, Gopi remained steadfast in his political pursuits.

The electoral battleground of Thrissur witnessed intense competition this time, with prominent candidates from major political parties vying for victory. Suresh Gopi of the BJP, leveraging his star power, entered the fray against V S Sunilkumar of the LDF, who held a strong local influence as a native of Thrissur. Adding to the complexity was the last-minute entry of K Muraleedharan from the Congress, a surgical strike, carrying not only his own support base but also the legacy of his late father, Leader K Karunakaran. All three contenders left no stone unturned in their efforts to secure votes.

The fierce election campaign, spanning Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Attingal, and Pathanamthitta, finally culminated in a decisive victory for the BJP in the Thrissur constituency. Rather than spearheaded by individual candidates, the BJP's campaign prominently featured Prime Minister Modi himself. This strategic move paid off, as evidenced by the overwhelming support garnered by the BJP across various constituencies.

BJP capitalised on the discord between the LDF and UDF, leveraging anti-incumbency sentiments against the State government. BJP's approach, particularly focusing on Christian sects, further increased its support base in many constituencies. 

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections have however marked a significant turnaround, with the NDA securing victory in a seat where it was previously not considered a strong contender. This breakthrough win for the NDA in Kerala heralds a potential shift in the State's political landscape.