‘With this logic, Pinarayi Vijayan has to resign...’: BJP’s Javadekar backs K Surendran in Kerala

Kerala BJP Prabhari Prakash Javadekar has extended support to BJP state president K Surendran, dismissing rumours that Surendran would resign over the Palakkad by-poll loss. Speculation had arisen that Surendran expressed willingness to step down, but the central leadership reportedly rejected it.

The Palakkad by-election saw a dramatic triangular contest among the LDF, UDF, and BJP, with UDF’s Rahul Mankoottathil emerging victorious. BJP’s C Krishnakumar came in second position but failed to collect maximum votes even in traditional BJP and RSS strongholds, despite the party ruling the Palakkad municipality. The BJP also faced a decline of over 10,000 votes compared to the previous election.

Ahead of a state-level BJP meeting to discuss the defeat on November 26, Javadekar tweeted, accusing the LDF and UDF of spreading resignation rumours. “Nobody is resigning; neither party has sought anybody’s resignation. I think this will settle the matter,” he posted. An hour after his first tweet, Javadekar once again tweeted that he was amazed at the logic of some sections asking whether BJP office bearers would resign. 

“With this logic, Pinarayi Vijayan has to resign after LDF defeat in elections. With the same logic, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has to resign after losing elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. This is absurd,” he posted. 

Nevertheless, the Palakkad loss has exposed internal dissent within the BJP. National council member N Sivarajan criticised Krishnakumar’s candidacy and blamed Surendran for the debacle. Palakkad municipal chairperson Prameela Sasidharan echoed these sentiments, stating that repeated nominations of Krishnakumar alienated voters. 

Krishnakumar, who previously contested in the Palakkad Lok Sabha and Malambuzha Assembly elections, faced backlash for being a “recycled” candidate.

Surendran defended the selection process, claiming it involved multiple consultations with different stakeholders in Palakkad. While Surendran denied submitting his resignation, he accepted moral responsibility for the loss, stating he would follow the central leadership’s decisions. Surendran also issued a strong warning against public statements by BJP leaders criticising the state leadership. 

Surendran also stated that the saffron party does not have members who covet seats and added that Krishnakumar had initially been reluctant to contest in Palakkad but agreed at the request of the central leadership. 

The Palakkad poll debacle, however, has clearly cost Surendran a significant opportunity to strengthen his position within the Kerala BJP. 

Moreover, the deeply rooted issues now emerging from Palakkad—a BJP stronghold—could have ripple effects in the coming days and months. And Surendran’s leadership is likely to face intense scrutiny as the party gears up for local body elections, where it aims to deliver a stellar performance.