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The Bharatiya Janata Party has unveiled an ambitious election manifesto for Kerala, promising sweeping development initiatives, major infrastructure projects, and targeted welfare schemes as it seeks to expand its political footprint in the state.
Released in Thiruvananthapuram by the party’s national president Nitin Nabin and state party chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the document lays out a roadmap for what the BJP calls a “Viksit Keralam”, combining economic growth with social welfare if the party comes to power in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Development roadmap built around specialised economic hubs
The manifesto proposes transforming several cities into specialised economic centres aimed at generating employment and boosting investment across sectors.
Under the plan, Thiruvananthapuram would be promoted as an IT and innovation capital, while Kochi would emerge as India’s shipbuilding hub. Kozhikode is proposed as a centre for healthcare and medical innovation, and Thrissur as a cultural tourism capital. Kollam would be developed as an internationally competitive economic cluster focused on marine exports, while Kannur is envisioned as a defence innovation hub.
According to the BJP, these sectoral hubs would help position Kerala as a preferred global tourism destination while strengthening the state’s specialised economic sectors.
Welfare focus with targeted support for women and families
Alongside economic initiatives, the party has placed considerable emphasis on welfare schemes.
A key proposal is the Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha card, aimed at providing financial support to needy women. Under the scheme, beneficiaries would receive a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 intended for medicines and essential groceries.
The manifesto also promises the establishment of an AIIMS in Kerala and proposes a high-speed rail corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur.
Additional commitments include two free LPG cylinders annually for poor families, one during Onam and another during Christmas. Every household would also be provided with 20,000 litres of free water per month.
The party has further pledged reforms in the management of major places of worship, such as Sabarimala and Guruvayur, through revamped Devaswom Boards.
Political attack on LDF and UDF dominance
During the launch, Nabin criticised both the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front, accusing them of maintaining a political cycle of “game fixing” in Kerala for decades.
He claimed the BJP’s support base in the state has grown significantly, with the party’s vote share rising from about 2 percent to 20 percent. According to him, this shift reflects increasing public support under the leadership of Narendra Modi and signals a desire among voters to move towards what he described as a developed Kerala.
Nabin also argued that Kerala’s politics for more than seventy years had revolved around a pattern where the LDF and UDF alternated power while levelling allegations against each other.
Election timeline and voter details
Polling for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections is scheduled for April 9, with counting of votes set for May 4.
Around 2.7 crore voters are expected to participate. After the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll, the final voter list contains 2,69,53,644 electors, including 1,31,26,048 male voters, 1,38,27,319 female voters, and 227 third gender voters. Among them are 4,24,518 voters in the 18 to 19 age group.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front is attempting to unseat the incumbent Left Democratic Front, whose government has ruled the state for nearly a decade. The BJP’s manifesto signals its attempt to position itself as a development-driven alternative in a state long dominated by the two alliances.
