Thiruvananthapuram, January 11: Although the dates for the assembly elections in Kerala have not been announced yet, political parties have intensified their preparations. In this regard, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday and held meetings with party leaders to brainstorm on election strategies. His visit is being seen as the formal launch of the 2026 assembly election campaign in Kerala. Union Home Minister
Amit Shah, in a meeting with public representatives from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), claimed that there will be a major change in Kerala politics in 2026 and the state will have a BJP Chief Minister.
He said that the BJP’s historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation in the recent local body elections is a clear indication that Kerala is on the path to change. He launched the assembly election campaign with the slogan “Now it’s Kerala’s turn.”
Union Minister Shah stated that the BJP’s vote share in Kerala is steadily increasing. From 11 percent in 2014, it has increased to 20 percent in 2024. He set a target of increasing the BJP’s vote share to 40 percent in the 2026 assembly elections. Motivating the workers, he said that the BJP has risen from humble beginnings to power in many states across the country, and Kerala will be no exception.
The Home Minister said that Kerala’s economy still largely depends on the income of NRIs, and that real development and industrial revolution in the state are possible only under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On the issue of national security, he targeted the Left and Congress-led fronts, saying that these parties have failed to confront communal and anti-national forces, while only the BJP can ensure a safe and strong Kerala.
Amit Shah said that he had previously promised to visit the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple if the BJP won the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation mayoral election. Following this, he offered prayers at the temple on Sunday morning. After the prayers, he said that with the blessings of God, change has begun in Kerala.
He said that the BJP has always been at the forefront of protecting the rights of devotees. He assured that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is fully committed to providing justice to Christian and Hindu families in Waqf land disputes. He also accused the LDF and UDF of appeasement politics, saying that the BJP’s policy of “justice for all, appeasement for none” will be accepted by the people of Kerala.
Union Minister Shah, who arrived on a day-long visit, participated in several programs in Thiruvananthapuram. Earlier in the morning, he visited the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
He then addressed a state convention of over 2,000 newly elected representatives of local self-government bodies held at the Udaya Palace Convention Center in Kowdiar. He then inaugurated the “Nava Bharat, Nav Keralam” conclave, organized to mark the 114th anniversary of Kerala Kaumudi.
Shah also attended a meeting of NDA leaders and the BJP State Core Committee at the BJP State Office, where seat-sharing and upcoming election strategies were discussed. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will leave for New Delhi on Sunday evening.