Thiruvananthapuram,19 March (HS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, taking the total number of declared nominees to 86 as the party accelerates its campaign preparations.

The latest list features a mix of senior leaders, new entrants, and high-profile faces. Former Mizoram Governor and BJP national executive member Kummanam Rajasekharan has been fielded from Aranmula, a move seen as a strategic attempt to strengthen the party’s presence in central Kerala.

In a notable inclusion, C.C. Mukundan, a former CPI legislator who recently switched to the BJP, will contest from Nattika. The party has also accommodated state vice president B. Gopalakrishnan in Guruvayoor after reports of his dissatisfaction over being denied a ticket in Kodungallur.

Adding a touch of celebrity appeal, reality show personality Robin Radhakrishnan has been nominated from Kundra, signalling the BJP’s effort to attract younger voters and expand its outreach. In the northern district of Kasaragod, district president Ashwini M.L. has been chosen to contest, despite earlier reports of internal differences over candidate selection in the region.

In Kollam, the BJP has fielded noted cardiologist Dr. N. Prathap Kumar, chairman and managing director of the Meditrina Hospital group, highlighting the party’s emphasis on bringing professionals into electoral politics.

However, the absence of some prominent names has drawn attention. Senior BJP leader M.T. Ramesh and former Mizoram Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, both of whom were widely expected to be in the fray, did not find a place in the second list either.

With this announcement, the BJP has covered a significant portion of constituencies and is expected to release its remaining candidates soon as the election momentum gathers pace across Kerala.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman