The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala has triggered a fresh political debate after its Kannur North division issued a circular proposing a fixed number of Christian candidates for the upcoming local body elections.

The circular, dated November 6 and signed by K K Vinod Kumar, President of the BJP Kannur North District Committee, outlines plans to field Christian candidates in 47 wards across eight panchayats and one municipality under its jurisdiction. The directive follows the state unit’s suggestion to include more candidates from the Christian community to ensure wider representation in the polls.

According to the circular, the party plans to field 45 Christian candidates across Udayagiri (4), Alakode (4), Naduvil (8), Eruvessy (7), Payyavoor (8), Ulikkal (9), Chapparapadava (2), and Cherupuzha (3) panchayats. In the Sreekandapuram municipality, the party aims to nominate at least two candidates from the Christian community.

“This is our effort to bring everyone closer,” said Vinod Kumar, a retired headmaster and long-time RSS associate who has been serving as the Kannur North BJP president for nearly a year. “People have always accused the BJP of being against Christians and Muslims. We are now reaching out to them—what’s wrong with that?”

He said the move reflects the party’s commitment to inclusivity. “In the hilly regions of Kannur, the Christian community plays a major role. It’s our responsibility to protect their interests and ensure their participation in local governance. No one should be kept away because of caste or religion,” he said.

Kumar added that the BJP aims to unite all communities. “We have directed our local units to engage minority groups actively. The circular only suggests that Christian candidates be considered in specific areas,” he clarified.

When asked whether the initiative extends to other communities, Kumar said the party is open to including Muslim candidates as well. “If someone from the Muslim community expresses interest in contesting for the BJP, we’ll welcome them. We expect this to happen in districts like Malappuram soon,” he said.

Interestingly, none of the panchayats or municipalities listed in the circular currently have BJP representatives. Of the eight panchayats, the CPM rules three, and the Congress rules five. The Sreekandapuram municipality is also under Congress control.

“Our primary aim is to eliminate the Congress, which has weakened this nation. They destroyed freedom and are responsible for the rise of terrorism. Our goal is to build a Congress-free India,” Kumar said.

However, leaders from both the CPM and Congress dismissed the BJP’s move as a political gimmick.

K S Chandrasekharan, CPM leader and Udayagiri panchayat president, said, “In a democracy, every community must be treated equally. Handpicking one section for electoral advantage exposes the BJP’s hidden agenda. They talk about unity but dream of a Hindu Rashtra. This is just another election tactic.”

Congress leader and Naduvil panchayat president Baby Odampallil said the BJP’s influence in the region is minimal. “They barely have 30 to 35 votes in each ward, most of whom have already left the party. Even if they field Christian candidates, they won’t get more than 20 votes,” he said.

Eruvessy vice president and Congress worker Madhu Thottiyil echoed similar sentiments, saying, “They won’t even find Christian candidates willing to contest. It’s all talk. The BJP’s dreams rarely turn into reality.”

Kumar, however, remains optimistic. “Kannur is a growing base for the BJP. The CPM’s strongholds are weakening due to corruption and developmental failures. Even their own workers are turning against them. This is our opportunity. In the upcoming local body polls, we’ll fight for a developed Kannur and defeat whoever stands in our way,” he said.