Kochi : Union Home Minister and BJP’s chief strategist Amit Shah arrived in Kochi today to spearhead the party’s preparations for Kerala’s upcoming local body elections in November and to lay the groundwork for the 2026 assembly polls.
The BJP has set itself a clear political target winning 20% of local wards across Kerala with concentrated efforts in corporations like Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur, 25 municipalities including Palakkad and Tripunithura, and close to 300 panchayats.
By taking charge of the strategy discussions himself, Shah has sent out a message that the BJP is no longer content with being a fringe player in Kerala politics. Political observers note that this is part of the party’s “Mission Kerala,” a long-term project to establish BJP as a disciplined, credible alternative to the ruling LDF and the Congress-led UDF.
Shah’s emphasis during the meeting was on strengthening booth level presence, energizing party cadres, and connecting with local communities, a shift designed to build trust and expand BJP’s voter base.
Shah’s high-profile visit has already created strong optics portraying the BJP as a party with national leadership attention, organized grassroots machinery, and serious intent to govern Kerala. The 20% target is not just electoral arithmetic; it is a message of confidence to voters and cadres alike that the BJP is preparing for a political breakthrough in Kerala.