Thrissur, Feb 23 (NationPress) At the age of 66, Padmaja Venugopal is gearing up for her fourth electoral campaign, but this time she is stepping onto the field as a candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Previously a three-time Congress nominee, this shift signifies a notable change in her political journey, which has been influenced by both legacy and numerous electoral challenges.

Padmaja is the daughter of the late K. Karunakaran, a four-time Chief Minister who had a profound impact on Kerala's political scene and was a prominent figure in the Congress party’s history.

During his influential years, Karunakaran successfully guided his son, K. Muraleedharan, into the political arena, thereby solidifying their family's position within the Congress.

Muraleedharan made his electoral debut in 1989, securing victory against well-known CPI(M) leader Imbichi Bava, which underscored the family's enduring political relevance and amplified the Karunakaran family's influence in Kerala.

In contrast, Padmaja's political path has been significantly more tumultuous and unpredictable than her brother's.

She entered the electoral fray in 2004, contesting from the Congress bastion of Mukundapuram, but faced defeat, leading to a challenging start in her political career.

As her father's political clout diminished and his health declined, Padmaja found her own opportunities dwindling, hampering her prospects for key roles within the party.

She attempted a comeback in 2016 as a Congress candidate from the Thrissur Assembly constituency but was again unsuccessful.

In 2021, she was nominated once more for the Thrissur seat, reflecting the party's continued belief in her capability to contest strongly in this significant constituency.

That election was heartbreakingly close; she lost by a mere 946 votes, marking it as one of the tightest races in the constituency in recent history.

Political analysts suggested that the presence of BJP candidate and actor Suresh Gopi, who attracted votes across traditional party lines, played a crucial role in that outcome.

With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaching, Padmaja chose to leave the Congress, citing inadequate treatment and a lack of recognition, and officially joined the BJP, signaling a substantial shift in her political loyalty.

Now, as reports indicate she has been authorized to contest from the Thrissur Assembly constituency once again, the political dynamics in the area have notably changed compared to prior elections.

Suresh Gopi, fresh from his significant Lok Sabha win in Thrissur in 2024, is actively supporting her candidacy, which adds significant weight to her chances in this constituency.

For Padmaja, this upcoming election is more than merely another challenge; it is viewed as a chance for political redemption, with a new party, revised alliances, and a constituency that has narrowly evaded her grasp on two occasions.

In response to these developments, Padmaja expressed her dedication to the party, stating she remains a loyal supporter and will follow the directives provided by the BJP leadership concerning her candidacy and campaign.