Sun Mar 23 07:47:33 UTC 2025: **BJP Appoints Rajeev Chandrasekhar as Kerala Unit President**

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, March 23, 2025 – Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a former Union Minister and entrepreneur, has been appointed as the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Kerala unit. The announcement was made following a core committee meeting on Sunday, with central observer Pralhad Joshi and Kerala in-charge Prakash Javedkar confirming the nomination. Mr. Chandrasekhar is expected to file his nomination later today and is likely to win unopposed.

Mr. Chandrasekhar’s appointment follows his strong showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Thiruvananthapuram, where he put up a close fight against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. His selection is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to broaden its appeal, particularly among younger voters. The party aims to leverage his profile to strengthen its election machinery for upcoming local body and 2026 Assembly elections.

Prior to his political career, Mr. Chandrasekhar co-founded BPL Mobile and later established Jupiter Capital, an investment firm. He also served as a Union Minister in the previous NDA government. He previously represented Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha for three terms before shifting his base to Kerala.

While several other names were initially considered, including current president K. Surendran, the BJP central leadership ultimately favored Mr. Chandrasekhar, with support also reportedly coming from the BJP’s ally, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS). Mr. Chandrasekhar will succeed Mr. Surendran, who has led the Kerala BJP since 2020. The appointment comes amidst ongoing police investigations into allegations of communal social media posts made by Mr. Chandrasekhar in 2023.

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