In a major political push ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday released its detailed election manifesto, promising large-scale development, welfare schemes, and economic transformation across the state.
The manifesto was unveiled in Thiruvananthapuram by BJP national president Nitin Nabin along with state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar, outlining an ambitious vision to turn Kerala into a global tourism and economic powerhouse.
The party has proposed a city-wise development model, aiming to convert key regions into specialised growth hubs. Thiruvananthapuram is set to be developed as an IT and innovation capital, Kochi as a shipbuilding hub, Kozhikode as a healthcare and medical innovation centre, Thrissur as a cultural tourism capital, Kollam as a global blue economy cluster focusing on marine exports, and Kannur as a defence innovation hub. The BJP claims these focused developments will generate large-scale employment opportunities across sectors.
On the welfare front, the party has promised a “Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha” card for women from economically weaker sections. Under this scheme, beneficiaries will receive a monthly recharge of ₹2,500 to support expenses on medicines and groceries. The manifesto also includes plans to establish an AIIMS in Kerala and introduce a high-speed railway line connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, aiming to boost connectivity and healthcare infrastructure.
Additional promises include providing two free LPG cylinders annually to poor families—one during Onam and another during Christmas—along with a commitment to supply 20,000 litres of free water per household every month. The party has also addressed religious administration, promising reforms and protection of major temples such as Sabarimala Temple and Guruvayur Temple through revamped Devaswom Boards.
On the sensitive Mullaperiyar dam issue, the BJP assured that it would balance water supply needs for Tamil Nadu while protecting Kerala’s interests.
Alongside the manifesto launch, Nitin Nabin launched a sharp political attack on the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing them of running a decades-long “game-fixing” arrangement where both alliances alternate power while criticising each other.
He said the BJP has seen significant growth in the state, with its vote share rising from 2% to 20%, and expressed confidence that the party will form the government this time. Nabin said, “This time, the BJP will make the lotus bloom in Keralam, the kind of support we are receiving shows our progress and under the leadership of Narendra Modi the state now aims to move towards a developed Keralam.”
He further alleged that for over 70 years, Kerala politics has been dominated by a cycle of power-sharing between LDF and UDF, which voters now understand and are ready to reject.
With big-ticket promises, welfare schemes, and aggressive political messaging, the BJP has set the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in Kerala as it attempts to break the long-standing dominance of regional alliances.
