New Delhi: The BJP leadership has dismissed reports that Kerala state president K. Surendran has expressed his desire to step down from his position following the recent setback in the state bypolls.

Following the defeat in Palakkad, multiple reports emerged that Surendran has expressed his desire to vacate his post. However, former Union Minister and BJP's state in-charge Prakash Javadekar has clarified that no one will resign from their responsibilities due to the defeat in the Palakkad by-election and that no one has been asked to resign. 

"BJP has given a good fight in recently concluded by-elections in Kerala and got a massive mandate in Maharashtra. We will win Palakkad and many more assembly seats in 2026. We are here to make a difference in Kerala politics.  People are looking up to BJP...Nobody is resigning neither party has sought anybody’s resignation. I think this will settle the matter," he wrote on X. He also alleged that LDF and UDF are spreading false rumours.

Sivarajan calls for accountability in candidate selection

Meanwhile, BJP national council member N. Sivarajan stated that the defeat in Palakkad should not be blamed on the BJP councillors. Sivarajan criticized the stance that if Krishnakumar wins, the credit should go to him, and if he loses, the responsibility should fall on Sobha Surendran. His remark came amid reports that several party leaders had criticized Sobha for the setback in Palakkad. He argued that the national leadership should examine whether the candidate selection process in Palakkad was flawed.

There have been complaints within the party that the factions of former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan and K. Surendran were attempting to portray Sobha as being responsible for Krishnakumar's defeat in Palakkad.