New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, March 16 (NationPress) As Kerala prepares for its Assembly elections on April 9, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its initial list of 47 candidates after convening its Central Election Committee. This list showcases a diverse array of seasoned politicians, fresh faces, party switchers, and notable figures.

Among them, Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian will contest from the Kanjirapally constituency in his native Kottayam district.

Noteworthy is the inclusion of the father-son pair, veteran politician P. C. George and his son Shone George. P.C. George, a seven-time former MLA who joined the BJP last year, will run from his traditional base in Poonjar, while Shone George aims for a win in the neighboring Pala, both located in Kottayam.

P.C. George has had a lengthy political journey, being part of various factions of the Kerala Congress and serving in both the ruling and opposition camps. After multiple terms as an MLA, he faced defeat in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Another intriguing candidate is Major Ravi, a former National Security Guard (NSG) commando turned actor-director, known for his military-themed films. He played a role in tracking the assassins of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and transitioned to the Malayalam film industry in 1999 after retiring, directing around ten films. Major Ravi will be contesting from Ottapalam in Palakkad.

The list also features several individuals who have switched allegiances. R. Reshmi, who previously represented the Congress in the Kottarakkara seat during the 2021 elections, will now run for the same seat on behalf of the BJP.

Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran, who unsuccessfully contested the Thrissur seat as a Congress candidate in both 2016 and 2021 before joining the BJP, will now aim for victory from the same constituency as the BJP nominee.

Other notable entrants include S. Rajendran, a three-time former CPI-M legislator contesting from Devikulam in Idukki, and K. Ajith, a two-time CPI legislator running from Vaikom.

The state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, along with former party leaders P. K. Krishnadas and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, also appear in this inaugural list.

Another significant candidate is R. Sreelekha, who made history as Kerala’s first woman Director General of Police. After retiring, she recently joined the BJP and was elected as a ward councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. She is now set to contest from Vattiyoorkavu, a key constituency in the state capital.

The BJP is optimistic that this blend of experienced leaders, newcomers, and high-profile candidates will enhance its electoral prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections. In the previous Assembly, the BJP had no representation, having lost the only seat it held from the 2016 elections.