As the Kerala Assembly elections approach, noted makeup artist and transgender activist Renju Renjimar has appealed to the transgender community in the state to refrain from voting for the BJP.

In a strongly worded post shared on Instagram, Renju said that individuals who “fail to understand human emotions” should not be allowed to govern.

Addressing the transgender community, Renju wrote, “Transgender communities in Kerala who are aware and informed, please do not vote for this party for any reason. Tomorrow, they may try to erase me or defame me. People who cannot understand a person’s heart should not come to power. I am ready to face whatever comes.”

Renju’s remarks came days after the Lok Sabha passed a bill to amend the law on the protection and rights of transgender persons, with opposition members expressing concerns that the proposed legislation excludes social orientations from its scope. On Wednesday, several activists and political parties described the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, as a “black day” for the community.

The remarks also come at a time when some members of the transgender community in Kerala have joined the BJP ahead of the elections, including Seema Vineeth.

Seema Vineeth has expressed support for the BJP, stating that the party’s rise could “transform Kerala’s history” and bring the kind of change people aspire for.

Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held on a single day on April 9, in Tamil Nadu on April 23, and in two phases in West Bengal on April 23 and 29, while votes will be counted for all polls on May 4.