Mon Jan 27 07:57:00 UTC 2025: ## BJP Kerala Overhauls Leadership, Emphasizes Youth and Diversity

**Thiruvananthapuram, January 27, 2025** – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala is undergoing a significant leadership restructuring, prioritizing youth, women, and diverse representation from various religious and caste groups. State president K. Surendran announced this Monday, highlighting a generational shift within the party’s organizational structure.

The changes are evident from the booth level upwards, with a noticeable increase in the number of women, Christians, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and backward-class community members appointed to key positions. Mr. Surendran also stated that Muslims will be included in leadership roles. While he declined to comment on his own future as State president, he emphasized that the selection process falls under the purview of the national leadership.

He contrasted the BJP’s approach with that of the CPI(M) and Congress, which he characterized as having “moribund and geriatric” leadership. Mr. Surendran dismissed reports of internal factionalism within the BJP’s Kerala unit as media speculation.

Despite a resolution by the Kottayam district committee of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) – a key NDA ally – expressing reservations about remaining in the alliance, Mr. Surendran expressed confidence in the BDJS’s continued participation, citing ideological alignment and the lack of a formal decision by BDJS leader Thushar Vellappally.

The BJP’s preparations for upcoming local body elections were also highlighted. The party has established 11-member committees in 18,000 of the state’s 24,000 electoral booths, with women heading 30% of these committees. While acknowledging limited influence in certain areas like Malappuram, Kasaragod, and Kannur, Mr. Surendran stated that the party’s nominations for district zone president posts included a significant number of women and representatives from various communities. He added that the selection process considered grassroots connections, leadership qualities, and demographic factors.

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