"Will make strong effort to provide alternative to state": Kerala BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Speaking to mediapersons here, Chandrasekhar vowed to bring effective changes to the lives of the people of Kerala.

"This is a significant honour for me. It is a huge opportunity to serve my state. We know that we have to bring change to Kerala. We also know that to bring effective change to the lives of the people of Kerala, to the economy of Kerala, to bring investments, to create opportunities for the youth, we have to be in government, and therefore, our goal is that we will make a very strong effort to provide an alternative to the state that the two fronts have ravaged over the last 70 years. Kerala today is in decline and we want Kerala to be 'Viksit Kerala'," the BJP state Chief said.

Earlier today, Chandrasekhar was elected unanimously as the party's Kerala president. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi officially made the official announcement earlier today.

On Sunday, the central leadership of the BJP proposed the name of former MP and Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar as the next president of the party's Kerala unit. The core committee meeting, chaired by BJP central observer Pralhad Joshi, finalised the decision.

Union Minister Suresh Gopi earlier said, "Under Rajeev Chandrasekhar's leadership, the party will reach the next level of performance, for which all of us are getting more equipped to support him."

The appointment of Chandrasekhar as BJP's Kerala president is seen as a strategic move by the party, aiming to build on the momentum gained in the state.

BJP's decision to field Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Thiruvananthapuram nearly paid off, as Chandrasekhar put up a strong fight.

Though he lost the election by a narrow margin of 16,077 votes, he significantly improved the party's vote share in the constituency, securing 35.52 per cent--better than veteran leader O Rajagopal's 32.32 per cent in a previous election. (ANI)