Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on a definitive path to form its first government in Kerala, setting an ambitious target for the upcoming Assembly elections later this year. Addressing the party's newly elected civic body members on Sunday, January 12, 2026, Shah presented a confident roadmap, citing the party's expanding vote share and recent local body victories as clear indicators of a political shift in the state.
From Thiruvananthapuram Mayor to Chief Minister: Shah's Bold Prediction
In a powerful address, Amit Shah drew a direct line from the BJP's current local successes to its state-level ambitions. "Today, the BJP has a mayor in Thiruvananthapuram. Tomorrow, there will be a BJP chief minister in Kerala," he proclaimed. He dedicated the party's recent electoral gains to the sacrifices of its workers, including families of 'balidani' (martyrs) and those currently imprisoned.
Shah backed his prediction with hard numbers, highlighting a consistent upward trajectory in the BJP's vote share in Kerala. He noted that it rose from 11% in 2014 to 16% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and further climbed to 20% in 2024. "Vote share increasing to 30% or 40% is not far away. That will happen in 2026 itself," he asserted, signaling his confidence in the forthcoming state polls.
He emphasized that the BJP's growth is not confined to urban centers. In the recent local body elections, the party secured 30 village panchayats, finished as the runner-up in 79 others, and won two municipalities, demonstrating a widening rural and semi-urban appeal.
The Three-Pillar Agenda: 'Mission Keralam-2026'
To achieve this goal, Shah formally unveiled the BJP's election blueprint, dubbed 'Mission Keralam-2026'. This three-point agenda focuses on:
- Vikasit Kerala (Developed Kerala)
- Safe Kerala
- Protection of Faith
Shah launched a sharp critique against both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing them of a "match-fixing" that has stalled the state's development. He positioned the BJP as the sole alternative capable of ending this stagnation and taking Kerala forward on a path of progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sabarimala Gold Theft: A Central Plank for 'Protection of Faith'
The Union Minister made the alleged gold theft from the Sabarimala temple a central issue to underscore the 'Protection of Faith' pillar of Mission Keralam. He asserted that neither the LDF nor the UDF could safeguard the religious sentiments of the people.
"If anyone can protect faith in Kerala, only the BJP can," Shah stated. He framed the incident not merely as a Kerala issue but as a matter that has wounded the faith of the entire nation.
Directly challenging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Shah demanded an impartial probe into the theft, alleging that the First Information Reports (FIRs) contained clauses meant to protect two state ministers. He also pointed to photographs showing UDF leaders with the accused. "Vijayan will have to order an impartial probe after the BJP's agitation. I want to tell Pinarayi Vijayan, 'you cannot ensure protection of faith in Kerala. It is time to go out. You cannot come back,'" he warned.
Shah concluded by reiterating that the era of communist and Congress regimes is over, both globally and in India, and that the BJP's policy of justice for all stands in contrast to the appeasement politics he accused the LDF and UDF of following. Following his address, Shah also attended a BJP core committee meeting to discuss the party's preparedness for the crucial Assembly elections.
