The decision to field K Surendran in Wayanad, a stronghold of Congress, is seen as a strategic move to counter opposition by putting forward a strong candidate against Gandhi.
CPI’s Annie Raja is the candidate for the ruling Left in Wayanad.K Surendran, known for leading agitations against the entry of young women into Sabarimala temple, has been serving as BJP state unit president since 2020. Originally from Ulleyeri in Kozhikode district, Surendran started his political career as the Wayanad district president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.
The party also announced that scholar K S Radhakrishnan and actor-turned-politician G Krishnakumar will be contesting from Ernakulam and Kollam constituencies respectively. In addition, T N Sarasu, a former government college principal, will be seeking electoral success in the Alathur constituency in the northern Palakkad district.
Scholar K S Radhakrishnan, who joined BJP in 2019, previously held positions such as vice-chancellor of Sree Sankara Sanskrit University and chairman of the state Public Service Commission during Congress-led UDF governments.
G Krishnakumar, a 55-year-old actor-turned-politician and national council member of BJP, contested in the state assembly elections from Thiruvananthapuram in 2021.
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T N Sarasu, a former government college principal known for her clashes with the Left student union, will contest from Alathur against sitting MP Remya Haridas and CPI(M) leader K Radhakrishnan.
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, scheduled for April 26, will see candidates vying for the 20 constituencies in the state.
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