A defunct showroom of a well-known clothing brand has been converted into a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election committee office in Palakkad | Photo credit: KK Mustafah
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate and fiery speaker Sobha Surendran has gained momentum in Palakkad, buoyed by the support of the BJP national leadership in Palakkad. At the behest of the BJP national leadership, she hit the campaign trail in Palakkad much earlier than other party nominees. Early signs of her campaign suggest she has built a strong image as a serious and formidable contender compared to her main rivals.
“I will win by 30,000 votes,” Ms. Surendran declared confidently. She targeted Palakkad’s former MLAs, accused them of neglecting the development of the constituency and promised voters that she would spearhead ₹700 crore worth of projects in just three months if elected.
A sign of popularity
She is among the BJP’s front-runners for the April 9 assembly elections. The loud applause she received when she took the stage at the Palakkad Fort Grounds during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally on Sunday afternoon was a testament to her popularity.
Ms. Surendran, seated next to Mr. Modi, was the only BJP candidate on the dais with whom he spent time conversing and stood out among the 12 party nominees. In contrast, NDA candidate Malampuzha and BJP state vice-president C. Krishnakumar, seated to Mr. Modi’s left, received scant attention from the prime minister.
Although there were 12 NDA candidates on the dais, Mr. Modi repeatedly mentioned only Ms. Surendran. Apart from talking about Naari Shakti, Mr. Modi highlighted it while talking about women empowerment and BJP’s commitment to uplift women from the ordinary background.
The BJP national leadership further signaled its support for Ms Surendran by deputing Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to accompany her during her nomination filing last week. Since then, numerous BJP leaders from other states actively campaigned in Palakkad and encouraged the party workers who campaigned on its behalf.
The BJP’s campaign in the constituency appears to be significantly better funded than those of its rivals, the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Ms Surendran’s campaign office – set up by converting a defunct clothing showroom into a strikingly decorated center – underscores the scale and high-voltage nature of the party’s campaign.
“The best is yet to come. Our campaign will take on a new, livelier and more passionate form in the coming days,” Ms Surendran said, hinting at a dramatic escalation of her election campaign.
Published – 30 March 2026 21:30 IST
