Kochi

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday inaugurated the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) regional election office in the Ernakulam–Kochi region, marking a key step in the coalition’s preparations for the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections 2026.

Senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party and NDA alliance partners were present at the event, reflecting unity within the coalition.

Addressing the gathering, Rijiju said Kerala lacked a government capable of fully harnessing its potential. “Kerala needs the right leadership to take the state to the next level of prosperity. Opening this NDA office in Ernakulam-Kochi is a good beginning. As an NDA, we are united and hopeful,” he said.

The Union Minister further claimed that several initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not reached their full potential in Kerala due to what he described as an unfavourable political environment. He added that the people of the state were seeking an alternative after decades of governance alternating between the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front.

Rijiju asserted that the NDA offered a credible alternative to fulfil the aspirations of the people and carry forward the Prime Minister’s vision for development in Kerala.

Meanwhile, the BJP officially launched its campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections from Nemom. Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar marked the launch by writing the slogan “Nammukku Vendum Vikasistha Nemom” (We Need a Developed Nemom) on a wall.

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Earlier this month, BJP national president Nitin Nabin criticised the LDF and UDF, accusing both fronts of hampering development and undermining traditional values, while asserting that Kerala’s youth were ready to lead a major political change.