In a significant shift within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala unit, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has been appointed as the new state president, a decision made on March 23, 2025, during a critical meeting in Delhi led by BJP central observer, Pralhad Joshi. The formal announcement is scheduled for March 24, 2025, at the Uday Palace Convention Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a seasoned politician with an extensive background, takes over the reins from K Surendran, who has held the position for five years, serving both as interim and full-term president. Under Surendran’s leadership, the BJP observed an increase in its vote share during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and played a crucial role in securing victories in various seats, including Thrissur for Suresh Gopi.
Chandrashekhar, age 60, has previously held multiple ministerial roles, including Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, as well as Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Jal Shakti. His political journey spans from 2006 to 2024 when he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing Karnataka. His loss to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls did not diminish his stature within the party, as he continues to be a prominent figure in the BJP.
During the core committee meeting where his appointment was proposed, other potential candidates such as M.T. Ramesh, V. Muraleedharan, and Shobha Surendran were also considered. Ultimately, the central leadership focused on Chandrasekhar’s appealing image as a development-oriented politician to enhance the party’s standing among the youth and professionals, a demographic the BJP aims to engage more effectively.
According to reports from Manorama News, Rajeev Chandrasekhar's experience and political acumen are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the state leadership of BJP. "Rajeev Chandrasekhar is expected to bring a new face to the BJP state leadership, focusing on development politics and enhancing public acceptance," it noted.
The upcoming state council meeting will not only formalize Chandrasekhar’s appointment but will also reflect the party's strategic direction, aiming to consolidate its base in Kerala ahead of crucial local and assembly elections. The BJP's national leadership views this as an essential move to amplify its influence and to navigate the increasingly competitive political landscape within the state.
With Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the helm, the BJP hopes to attract a younger voter base, ensuring that the party’s message resonates with contemporary issues and aspirations. He holds a robust background in technology and business, having previously launched successful ventures in India's telecommunications sector, and he is expected to leverage this experience to bolster the party’s image in Kerala.
As the political environment in Kerala becomes more dynamic, the BJP's leaders believe that Rajeev Chandrasekhar's leadership style—one characterized by interactive engagement and development-focused dialogues—will be pivotal in overcoming the challenges ahead. From working on local-level issues to expanding the party’s outreach, Chandrasekhar's appointment marks a new chapter in BJP's strategy in Kerala.
In summary, the official appointment of Rajeev Chandrasekhar as the new president of the BJP in Kerala not only signals a leadership change but also paves the way for a renewed push by the party to enhance its relevance and effectiveness in the state's evolving political scenario. The coming months will test Chandrasekhar's ability to unify party factions and present a coherent strategy that appeals to both traditional voters and a new generation of supporters.
