Kerala BJP Embarks on Comprehensive Muslim Outreach Initiative
The Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala has announced a major outreach program targeting the Muslim community across the state. This strategic move comes ahead of crucial local body elections as the party seeks to expand its political footprint in the southern state.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar revealed the initiative on Friday, November 8, 2025, stating that the program aims to clear what he described as "misunderstandings" among minority communities about the party's agenda and intentions.
Addressing Decades of Misinformation
Chandrasekhar didn't mince words when explaining the rationale behind the outreach effort. "Both the CPI(M) and Congress instilled venom in the minds of minorities," he asserted. "The outreach programme is meant to clear that misunderstanding. The 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' message of the Narendra Modi government will be taken to all people."
The BJP leader emphasized that the program would be comprehensive in scope, covering all Muslim homes in Kerala. He contrasted his party's approach with that of political rivals, stating, "We don't want to fool the people as the Congress and the CPI(M) have been doing. The BJP wants to debunk the lies built up by the Left and the UDF over the last two decades."
Building on Previous Christian Outreach Success
This isn't the first time the Kerala BJP has targeted minority communities with specialized outreach programs. The party had previously conducted similar initiatives among Christian communities, which constitute 18.38% of Kerala's population according to the 2011 Census.
During those Christian outreach efforts, BJP leaders and workers visited Christian prelates and prominent community members with greetings and cakes during Christmas and Easter celebrations. The party also found common ground with Christian groups on issues like "love jihad" and Waqf land disputes.
In the notable Munambam Waqf land issue, the BJP positioned itself at the forefront, fighting for the revenue rights of land owners who were predominantly Christian.
Strategic Electoral Implications
The Muslim community represents a significant demographic in Kerala, comprising 26.56% of the state's 3.34 crore population. With local body elections approaching, the BJP's outreach represents a calculated effort to make inroads into a voter base that has traditionally supported either the Left Democratic Front or the United Democratic Front.
Dr Abdul Salam, BJP state vice-president and a prominent Muslim face in the party, highlighted that the outreach would emphasize the welfare programs implemented by the Modi government at the Centre. One specific initiative mentioned involves delivering the Prime Minister's greeting cards to homes of all those who have performed Haj.
Chandrasekhar, who has been championing the BJP's developmental agenda since assuming leadership in Kerala, reiterated that the ultimate goal is to convince people that "the BJP is a party that works for all sections of people." The success of this ambitious outreach could significantly alter Kerala's political landscape in the coming elections.
