Kerala’s political landscape has long been characterised by a tug-of-war between two dominant forces: the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite its national prominence, has traditionally played a marginal role in the state’s politics, given Kerala’s unique socio-political environment.
In recent years, however, the BJP has recalibrated its approach in Kerala, dialling back its hardcore Hindutva rhetoric and adopting a more localised strategy to appeal to the diverse demographic in the state.
As the 2024 elections approach, the BJP is cautiously optimistic about its chances in Kerala, despite its historically low footprint. The party’s central leadership has outlined a multi-faceted strategy to challenge the LDF and UDF on their governance track records and promises.
This approach aims to attract voters from across Kerala’s spectrum by focusing on issues that resonate with local concerns.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent visits and high-profile campaigns have garnered attention, the response from the electorate indicates that the BJP still faces significant hurdles in gaining traction. Kerala’s political culture and demographic composition pose unique challenges to the BJP’s ambitions.
To overcome these obstacles, the BJP has taken a methodical approach to engage with Kerala’s complex cultural dynamics. The party has conducted in-depth research into the Christian electorate, which plays a crucial role across Kerala’s 20 parliamentary constituencies.
As part of its outreach, the BJP has initiated dialogue with church leaders, seeking to understand their concerns and build rapport, indicating a deliberate effort to reach out to key segments of the population.
This strategic shift highlights the BJP’s determination to carve out a more substantial presence in Kerala, even if progress is incremental. As the state moves toward the 2024 elections, all eyes will be on whether the BJP’s nuanced approach can bridge the political and cultural gaps that have traditionally kept it on the periphery of Kerala’s political scene.
Source Agencies
