A potential split in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was averted after the dominant component, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), allotted 13 seats to alliance partner Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) to contest in the 76-member Kochi Corporation.
Union Minister of State George Kurian released the second list of NDA candidates in Kochi on Saturday (November 15, 2025). The BDJS, which stayed away when the initial list was released earlier this week, was represented by its state general secretary AB Jayaprakash and district president Sujith when the second list was released.
BDJS has announced nine of its candidates, the names of the remaining four will be announced soon. Shiv Sena has declared its only candidate. The BJP released 16 more names, taking the total number of declared candidates to 46. In the original list, the party announced 30 candidates, while alliance partners Kerala Congress (Nationalist) and National People’s Party (NPP) declared one each. One more seat is likely to be allotted to Kerala Congress (Nationalist) and another party Lok Janashakti. This will leave the BJP with the remaining 12, taking its final tally to 58. The party had five members in the last council.
Releasing the list, Mr. Kurian said the upcoming polls in the state would reflect the nationwide wave in favor of the NDA.
Since the election was announced, the BJP has fielded its six-time councilor from Cheralayai ward Shyamala S. Prabhu, who has since announced that she will contest as an independent from the same ward. The party also fielded two sitting United Democratic Front councilors in the corporation – Sunitha Dixon of the Revolutionary Socialist Party and Santha Vijayan of the Congress.
A notable presence among the NDA candidates is Joshi Kaithavalappil, president of the parents-teacher association at St. Rita’s, Palluruthy, which recently hit the headlines after a hijab (headscarf) row. As a JE candidate, he will contest from Palluruthy Kacheripadi division.
Published – 15 Nov 2025 19:43 IST
