BJP on mar. 24, named 111 more candidates who will contest the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections starting April 19. Interestingly, in Kerala, the BJP has fielded its state unit president K Surendran in Wayanad, which is a constituency that has gained national attention with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s candidature.
A P Abdullakutty, Sandeep Varier and C K Janu were some of the names considered by the leadership in Wayanad. However, the central leadership believes that fielding Surendran in Wayanad would create the impression both within and beyond the state that the BJP is taking the elections in Kerala seriously. Surendran had decided not to contest this year’s elections. Wayanad is now set for a heavyweight battle between Surendran, Rahul and the CPI’s Annie Raja.
Lost in 89 votes – Manjeshwara
In 2016 state assembly election, K. Surendran lost the segment with a slender margin of 89 votes to IUML’s P.B. Abdul Razak. Mr. Abdul Razak received 56,870 votes while Mr. Surendran polled 56,781 votes. CPI-M’s C.H. Kunhambu went to the third spot garnering 42,565 votes.