Tripura CM Manik Saha Challenges Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala Rallies

KANNUR – Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha spearheaded the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) electoral push in Kerala on Thursday, addressing major rallies in the Kalpetta and Dharmadam constituencies. Saha’s visit is part of a high-intensity campaign for the state’s 140-member Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, 2026.

During his address at the election convention in Dharmadam, Saha threw his weight behind BJP candidate K. Renith, who is contesting against Kerala’s sitting Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan. Saha emphasized that the BJP is the only alternative for the state’s development, echoing his frequent stance that “if every state progresses, then only our country will progress.” He urged voters to trust the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” and move away from the current political status quo in Kerala.

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Strengthening the Southern Foothold

In Kalpetta, while campaigning for Prasanth Malavayal, Saha highlighted the BJP’s growing influence across the country. Referring to the party’s previous performance in Kerala, he noted that the “pockets of growing support” seen in 2021—where the party secured second place in nine seats—are a clear indication that the people are seeking change.

“We have to ensure all eligible voters get a fair chance to exercise their democratic rights and join the journey of national development,” Saha stated during his outreach, reiterating a theme he recently championed regarding electoral roll revisions in his home state.

A Relentless Campaign Schedule

The Chief Minister’s visit to Kerala follows a busy week of campaigning in West Bengal alongside state party president Rajib Bhattacharjee. With polling in West Bengal set for late April, Saha has become a key face for the BJP’s cross-regional strategies.

Following the Kerala rallies, Saha is set to return to Agartala on Friday. His focus will immediately shift to local elections, specifically the Dharmanagar Assembly by-election on April 9 and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls on April 12.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is contesting all 140 seats in Kerala, with the BJP itself fielding candidates in 99 constituencies. The party aims to regain the momentum it first found in 2016 and establish a more permanent presence in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

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