Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: BJP bets big on Christian votes, names seven candidates from community in two lists

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded seven Christian candidates in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, a move to appeal to this traditionally UDF-supporting community. George Kurian, P. C. George, Anoop Antony Joseph, Shone George, Lijoy Paul, Bijoy Thomas, and M. J. Job are among those chosen by the party. The BJP is attempting to overcome its perceived Hindutva image in a diverse state by focusing on issues like the Munambam land case and the arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh, while avoiding its traditional stances on beef consumption. The party's State general secretary and Thiruvalla candidate, Anoop Antony Joseph, argues that the BJP is actually the most secular party in Kerala, contrasting it with other parties who are labelled as such despite their religious affiliations.