George Kurian exits Modi Cabinet: BJP's Kerala formula faces fresh test
Synopsis
George Kurian's exit from the Modi Cabinet marks the fourth time a BJP leader from Kerala has left the Union government without a second term — exposing a structural gap in the party's Kerala strategy. With Suresh Gopi the only remaining Kerala face in the Cabinet, the BJP now faces pressure to decide whether Rajya Sabha nominee C. Sadanandan Master gets a ministerial shot.
Key Takeaways
George Kurian resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on 23 June after the BJP declined to renew his Rajya Sabha term.
President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation the same day.
Kurian is the fourth BJP leader from Kerala to exit the Union Cabinet without a second stint, following O.
He was inducted into the Cabinet in June 2024 as Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs .
Actor-politician Suresh Gopi remains the only Kerala BJP representative in the Modi Cabinet.
Eyes are now on Rajya Sabha nominee C.
Sadanandan Master for a possible ministerial berth.
Union Minister George Kurian resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on Tuesday, 23 June after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declined to renew his Rajya Sabha term, triggering fresh questions about whether Kerala will secure additional representation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet. President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation the same day.
What Led to Kurian's Exit
Kurian was inducted into the third Narendra Modi government in June 2024 as Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs — notably before he held a seat in either House of Parliament. In August 2024, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, filling the vacancy created when Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia moved to the Lok Sabha after winning the general election. With the BJP choosing not to extend that term, Kurian's ministerial run has ended after roughly a year.
A Recurring Pattern for BJP's Kerala Leaders
Kurian becomes the fourth BJP leader from Kerala to leave the Union Cabinet without securing a second stint. Former Union Ministers O. Rajagopal, K. J. Alphons, and V. Muraleedharan each followed a similar trajectory — entering Parliament through the Upper House and holding ministerial positions before exiting. The pattern underscores the structural challenge the BJP faces in Kerala, where the party has struggled to build a durable electoral base in state assembly contests.
Kurian's Profile and Kerala Struggles
A lawyer who practised in the Supreme Court, Kurian held several organisational roles within the BJP — including state Vice President, National Executive member, Core Committee member, and party spokesperson. He also served as an Officer on Special Duty when Rajagopal was a Union Minister. Despite his long association with the party — he joined when it was founded in 1980 — his electoral record in Kerala remained elusive. He contested assembly elections multiple times, including from Kanjirappally in the most recent state polls, without securing a victory.
What Happens to Kurian Next
According to reports, Kurian is likely to return to organisational work and has expressed interest in contributing to the party's efforts in Kerala. However, the BJP is yet to clarify whether he will be assigned a role at the national level or within the state unit.
Kerala's Representation in the Modi Cabinet: What's Next
At present, the sole BJP representative from Kerala in the Union Cabinet is actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who won a historic victory from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency. Attention has now turned to C. Sadanandan Master, the BJP's Rajya Sabha nominee from Kerala, and whether he will be considered for a ministerial berth. Whether Kerala's representation in the Modi Cabinet remains limited to one, or expands, is a question the BJP leadership is expected to address in the coming weeks.
Point of View
But without an electoral foothold, that exposure has no durable political foundation. Suresh Gopi's Thrissur win is the exception, not a trend. The real question is whether the BJP will use C. Sadanandan Master's nomination to deepen Kerala representation, or whether it will allow the state's Cabinet presence to shrink to a single seat — a signal that would not go unnoticed ahead of the next Kerala assembly election.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did George Kurian resign from the Modi Cabinet?
George Kurian resigned after the BJP decided not to renew his Rajya Sabha term, which ended in June 2025. Since his ministerial position was tied to his Upper House membership, the non-renewal effectively ended his Cabinet tenure.
Who are the other BJP leaders from Kerala who exited the Cabinet without a second term?
Former Union Ministers O. Rajagopal, K. J. Alphons, and V. Muraleedharan each left the Union Cabinet without securing a second stint. Kurian is now the fourth such leader from Kerala to follow this pattern.
Who represents Kerala in the Modi Cabinet now?
Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is currently the sole BJP representative from Kerala in the Union Council of Ministers, following his historic win from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency.
What role will George Kurian take on next?
According to reports, Kurian is likely to return to organisational responsibilities within the BJP and has expressed interest in working in Kerala. The party has not yet confirmed whether he will be assigned a national or state-level role.
Who is C. Sadanandan Master and why is he significant?
C. Sadanandan Master is the BJP's Rajya Sabha nominee from Kerala. With Kurian's exit, there is speculation about whether Master will be considered for a ministerial berth to maintain or expand Kerala's representation in the Modi Cabinet.
