Thrissur Dec 2 (NationPress) As political parties in Kerala gear up for the upcoming two-phase local body elections, state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar stirred the political landscape by declaring his intention to run for the Nemom Assembly constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections.

This announcement, made amidst the fervor of campaigning for the December 9 and 11 local body polls, has invigorated BJP supporters and sparked discussions across various political factions.

When asked by reporters, Chandrasekhar expressed his readiness to embrace the challenge of Nemom in 2026, indicating the party's aim to reclaim the seat it first won in 2016.

Nemom is notable as the first constituency where the BJP secured a victory in the Kerala Assembly. In 2016, senior BJP leader O. Rajagopal triumphed over the sitting CPI-M MLA V. Sivankutty, marking a significant milestone for the party.

However, in the 2021 elections, despite the BJP nominating then state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, the LDF regained the seat with Sivankutty, who subsequently became the State General Education Minister.

Although the BJP has not officially revealed its candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections, Chandrasekhar's comments are perceived as a proactive move to build momentum as the party navigates the complex political landscape of the state.

His statements coincide with the BJP's aggressive campaigning, critiquing the CPI(M) and the state government for mismanagement of various issues.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he posed a significant challenge to three-time incumbent Congress MP Shashi Tharoor from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, leading momentarily before ultimately losing by approximately 15,000 votes.

This fierce competition contributed to his nomination as state party president earlier this year, surprising many long-time party members.