Thiruvananthapuram: In June last year, BJP won its first-ever Lok Sabha seat in Thrissur. On Saturday, the BJP-led NDA wrote another new chapter in Kerala by notching up a historic electoral victory.
The NDA emerged as the single largest group in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, thereby ending the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) 45-year stranglehold on the civic body.
The NDA triumphed in 50 of the 101 wards in the corporation, reducing the ruling CPM-led LDF to 29 seats. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 19 seats, 2 went to Independents, while polling in one ward was cancelled following the death of a candidate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a ‘watershed moment’ in Kerala politics.
“Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Kerala’s politics. The people are certain that the development aspirations of the state can only be addressed by our Party. Our Party will work towards this vibrant city’s growth and boost ‘Ease of Living’ for the people,” Modi posted on X.
He also acknowledged the work of generations of party workers.
“My gratitude to all hardworking BJP Karyakartas who have worked among the people, which has ensured a spectacular result in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Today is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of Karyakartas in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured today’s result became a reality. Our Karyakartas are our strength and we are proud of them!” Modi wrote.
The result is politically significant as Thiruvananthapuram district is senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor’s home turf.
Four-time MP Tharoor, who beat Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekar in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, may have had his differences with his own party, but not many expected the saffron party to top the civic polls.
In a detailed message on X, Tharoor acknowledged BJP’s gains in his home constituency.
“What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections. The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through…. I want to acknowledge the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city Corporation, a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital’s political landscape,” Tharoor expressed.
