Thiruvananthapuram, July 12 – The Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday announced its new state committee, marking the first major organisational overhaul under the leadership of newly appointed state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The reshuffle reflects a strategic attempt to strike a balance between youth, experience, and fresh energy as the party gears up for the upcoming local body elections.
Chandrasekhar, a former Union Minister of State, took charge of the state unit recently with a mandate to strengthen the party’s base in a state where BJP has historically struggled to make major electoral gains. The new team composition signals a shift in internal power dynamics, particularly with the exclusion of close aides of former MoS V. Muraleedharan from key posts.
Notably, only M.T. Ramesh has been retained among the outgoing general secretaries, while three new faces – Sobha Surendran, S. Suresh, and Anoop Antony – have been brought in. Sobha Surendran, a firebrand leader, said she sees her new role as a major responsibility and is committed to expanding the party’s grassroots presence in Kerala.
A major highlight of the new committee is the appointment of R. Sreelekha, Kerala’s first woman Director General of Police, as one of the 10 vice-presidents. Shaun George, who joined BJP just 17 months ago along with his father and veteran politician P.C. George, has also been elevated to vice-president.
P.K. Krishnadas, a former BJP state president, appears to have regained influence, with several of his associates making the cut. Meanwhile, popular media personality B. Gopalakrishnan has been retained as vice-president.
Party insiders view the revamped committee as a renewed push to energize BJP’s political strategy in Kerala ahead of key elections.
