Muraleedharan Dismisses BJP as “Irrelevant” in Kerala as Assembly Battle Intensifies

With Kerala heading to the polls on April 9, 2026, the political climate in Thiruvananthapuram has reached a boiling point. On Monday, senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan, the UDF candidate for the Vattiyoorkavu constituency, dismissed the BJP’s presence in the state as “irrelevant.”

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His remarks come just 24 hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile rally in Palakkad, where the PM labeled the LDF and UDF as “two masks of the same selfish politics.”

The Battle for Vattiyoorkavu: A Triple Threat?

While Muraleedharan maintains that the real contest is between the UDF and LDF, the ground reality in Vattiyoorkavu suggests a fierce triangular fight:

• The Return: Muraleedharan, a two-term former MLA of this seat, is seeking a “homecoming” after recent losses in Nemom and Thrissur.

• The Incumbent: LDF’s V. K. Prasanth is running on a “development record” of over ₹1,000 crore, positioning himself as the face of urban continuity.

• The Challenger: The BJP has fielded R. Sreelekha, Kerala’s first woman DGP, aiming to capitalize on the party’s recent gains in Thiruvananthapuram’s corporation wards.

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Muraleedharan’s Critique: “Broken Promises”

Muraleedharan’s attack on the BJP centered on what he called a “betrayal” of Kerala’s developmental needs:

1. The AIIMS Delay: He highlighted that despite having a Union Minister from Kerala, the long-standing demand for an AIIMS remains unfulfilled.

2. No “Special Package”: He alleged that the PM’s previous promises of a special financial package for Thiruvananthapuram resulted in “zero benefit” for the city.

3. Metro Rail: He questioned why a Metro rail project for Thrissur has not materialized despite BJP’s electoral promises in that region.

Allegations of a “CPM-SDPI-BJP” Nexus

The campaign has been marred by accusations of covert deals:

• The “Night Shift” Deal: Muraleedharan alleged a “backdoor arrangement” where BJP workers support LDF’s Prasanth at night to ensure a UDF defeat—a claim both rivals have ridiculed as “an excuse for imminent failure.”

• The SDPI Factor: Muraleedharan slammed the CPI(M) for “double standards,” pointing out that the Left now welcomes support from organizations like the SDPI, which it had previously labeled “communal” when they leaned toward the UDF.

2026 Kerala Election Snapshot (140 Seats)

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