Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has been elected as the new president of the BJP’s Kerala unit, marking a leadership shift ahead of upcoming political battles in the state. The announcement was made on Monday by BJP central observer Prahlad Joshi during the party’s state council meeting.
Chandrasekhar, the sole nominee for the post, formally took charge at a ceremony attended by senior BJP leaders, including outgoing president K Surendran and state in-charge Prakash Javadekar. Surendran, handing over the party flag, said the BJP had witnessed “unprecedented growth” in Kerala over the past decade and expressed confidence that Chandrasekhar’s leadership would further strengthen the party.
Chandrasekhar, a three-term Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka and a former Union Minister, has been a prominent figure in BJP’s national leadership. He previously held key portfolios, including Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti. Currently serving as the vice-chairman of the NDA’s Kerala unit, his appointment signals the party’s intent to expand its influence in the state.
His recent Lok Sabha election contest from Thiruvananthapuram saw him face off against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who defeated him by 16,077 votes. Responding to Chandrasekhar’s elevation, Tharoor posted on X: “Congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected Kerala State President of the BJP, @RajeevRC_X. Looking forward to crossing swords again!”
Born in Ahmedabad to Keralite parents, Chandrasekhar has deep roots in Kerala, particularly in Thrissur. His father-in-law, TPG Nambiar, founded the BPL Group. With his corporate background and political experience, the BJP hopes his leadership will help the party gain traction in the state.