BJP reorganizes Kerala unit amid political criticism of IUML

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated an organizational overhaul in Kerala, splitting the state into two zones to prepare for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Following electoral gains in the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2026 Assembly elections, the party has appointed M. T. Ramesh to lead the northern zone and S. Suresh to oversee the southern zone. Shobha Surendran has been named National Programme In-charge.

Concurrently, BJP Kerala Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar has criticized the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and its alliance with the Congress party. Chandrasekhar accused the IUML of attempting to introduce a “Sharia law-like system” through the “backdoor,” which he claims could push women toward a regressive social order. These remarks follow comments by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad suggesting women should remain at home rather than participate in public life. Chandrasekhar questioned the secular credentials of the Congress-IUML alliance, alleging that the IUML exerts undue influence over the Congress party in the state.