Rajeev Chandrasekhar Declares 'Viksit Keralam' Mission as New BJP Chief in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, March 24 (NationPress) The newly designated Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced on Monday that his mission is 'Viksit Keralam', drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.

“I was born to a father with an Indian Army background in Gujarat, was educated in Thrissur (Kerala) and other schools, and then worked both in the US and India. With 18 years of experience in the Rajya Sabha, I am committed to fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to me by my high command and all of you. I will ensure I return only after establishing a BJP-led NDA government in Kerala,” stated Chandrasekhar.

On Sunday, he was the sole candidate to file for the position of party president, and on Monday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi officially announced Chandrasekhar’s new role.

The outgoing president, K. Surendran, symbolically transferred the party flag and the minutes book, marking the transition of power.

Chandrasekhar elaborated on the dedication shown by PM Modi over the past 11 years, affirming that his vision aligns with that of the Prime Minister.

“When PM Modi took charge eleven years ago, similar to Kerala’s current state of poor governance, our nation was also in distress. Thanks to PM Modi, we have ascended to the top four. A revitalized India has emerged through his diligent efforts, initiatives, and effective governance,” remarked Chandrasekhar.

“The political performance over the past 11 years has propelled India forward. This is precisely what we, the BJP, aim to achieve in Kerala, and that encapsulates my mission and vision,” he continued.

“We are witnessing transformations in technology, commerce, and manufacturing nationwide. Such advancements will also unfold in Kerala. Investments will flow to areas abundant in talent, and talent will gravitate towards regions rich in opportunities. This is the reality, and we will cultivate a Kerala free from 'nokku kooli' (gawking wages) and full of opportunities,” he added.

“Our party’s task, along with our workers, is to disseminate this vision to every household. Viksit Keralam is our guiding principle and mission, ensuring benefits for all, regardless of religion or community,” said the 60-year-old former Minister of State.

He pointed out that Kerala possesses immense potential, yet opportunities are lacking, which leads to the success of our youth outside the state.

“When provided with opportunities, they flourish. The root cause for Kerala’s stagnation lies in our state government’s reliance on borrowed funds. Just 500 km away in Karnataka, there exists a plethora of job opportunities, yet we lack them here,” Chandrasekhar explained.

“We need to uncover the reasons behind Kerala’s lack of progress. Is it due to the economy, the overwhelming debt, the drug crisis, or radicalization? These are significant challenges we face,” he said.

“For the past 70 years, Kerala has received nothing but promises from the Left and Congress. A transformation is essential, and that is why we, the BJP, are on a mission for change. We aim to replicate what Modi achieved for the nation,” added Chandrasekhar.

Notably, this marks the first instance where the Kerala unit of the national ruling party has appointed an individual with limited political experience to lead the party.

Chandrasekhar’s prior experience in Kerala is limited to a challenging contest against three-time Congress Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency during the 2024 elections.

He posed a formidable challenge to Tharoor, who ultimately won by approximately 16,000 votes.

His appointment has raised questions, as even the RSS leadership in Kerala appeared caught off guard. Given the internal divisions within the party, the smoothness of Chandrasekhar’s new role remains to be seen.