BJP Unveils First Candidate List for Kerala Assembly Elections

The BJP has announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, featuring 47 nominees, including prominent leaders like Rajiv Chandrasekhar and V. Muraleedharan. This move initiates the party's campaign efforts in the state, coinciding with the CPI(M)'s declaration to contest 86 seats in the 2026 elections. The election schedule has also been released, with voting set for April 9 and results to be counted on May 4. Read on for more details about the candidates and the political landscape in Kerala.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 17:20 IST

BJP Announces Candidates for Kerala Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its initial list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, featuring 47 names. This announcement marks the commencement of the BJP's electoral preparations in Kerala, as political parties gear up for the state elections. Rajiv Chandrasekhar will contest from the Nemom constituency. According to the BJP's list, former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan will run from the Kazhakuttam Assembly seat, while P.C. George has been nominated for the Poonjar constituency.

CPI(M) Prepares for Elections

This announcement follows the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) declaring its intention to contest 86 seats in the upcoming 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, re-nominating 56 sitting MLAs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will once again contest from the Dharmadom Assembly seat in Kannur district. Former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja has been fielded from the Peravoor Assembly seat in Kannur, marking a shift from her previous victory in the Mattanur constituency.

Election Schedule Announced

Shailaja had won the Mattanur constituency by a significant margin. Key figures in the BJP's list include former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan and the party's state president Rajiv Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar will contest from the crucial Nemom Assembly seat in the southern state. The Election Commission announced the schedule for Assembly elections in several states on Sunday. Kerala, recently renamed KeralaM, will hold voting for its 140-member Assembly in a single phase on April 9, with the counting of votes set for May 4.