Kerala Election 2026: BJP’s mission to conquer Kerala, names of 47 stalwarts including Rajeev Chandrashekhar in the first list

News India Live, Digital Desk: Just a day after the Election Commission announced the dates, BJP has tried to create a psychological edge against ‘LDF’ and ‘UDF’ by releasing its first list. The party has expressed confidence in experienced faces as well as candidates with youth and professional background.1. Major points of the first list: Major candidates: The party has fielded former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar from an important seat. Apart from him, State President K. Surendran has been made the candidate from Manjeshwaram in Kasaragod. Selection of candidates: There are names of 47 candidates in the first list. This time, the party has also given opportunity to many retired officers and social workers on the lines of E Sreedharan model. Social Engineering: BJP has tried to create a special balance in this list to woo the voters of Kerala’s Christian community and coastal areas. 2. Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Complete Schedule The Election Commission (ECI) has decided to conduct voting for all 140 seats in Kerala in a single phase: ScheduleDateNotification issue16 March 2026Last date for nominations23 March 2026Scrutiny24 March 2026Last date for withdrawal of nominations26 March 2026Polling Date9 April 2026Results (Counting Date)4 May 20263. Impact of ‘Metro Man’ and ‘Local Bodies’After the BJP’s stellar performance in the local body elections held in December 2025 (especially winning 50 seats in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation), the party is claiming to emerge as a “third option” in the state this time. BJP has put in all its strength in Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Kasaragod districts.