BJP wins first-ever seat in Kerala as actor-turned politician Suresh Gopi defeats CPI candidate

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday won its first-ever Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, with the victory of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi from Thrissur.

Gopi defeated VS Sunilkumar of the Communist Party of India by 74,686 votes.

Commenting on the victory, Kerala BJP chief K Surendran said that Gopi “made history” in the election. “The [National Democratic vote share in Kerala has risen to 20%. Thanks to all voters for believing in and voting for PM Narendra Modi.”

Kerala, which has 20 Lok Sabha seats, went to the polls in the second phase on April 26. As of 8.55 pm on Tuesday, the Congress was ahead in 14 seats, the Indian Union Muslim League in two seats and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in one seat.

The Kerala Congress and Revolutionary Socialist Party won one seat each.

In the run-up to polling in the state, Kerala witnessed an intense political showdown between the ruling Left Democratic Front, helmed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Congress-led United Democratic Front. This traditional rivalry has long characterised the political landscape of the southern state.

However, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance emerged as a contender in this election. The BJP had previously not made significant inroads in the state.

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