Rajeev Chandrasekhar Poses Serious Challenge to Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha Race

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP candidate for Thiruvananthapuram, is posing a serious challenge to three-time Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala. The Left candidate Panniyan Raveendran is also making his presence felt in the constituency, turning it into a closely contested triangular battle.

Chandrasekhar, a prominent BJP leader and technocrat-turned-politician, is seen as a strong contender against Tharoor, who has been a long-standing member of the Lok Sabha. BJP chief JP Nadda campaigned for Chandrasekhar, highlighting the central government's achievements and asserting that the people are firmly dedicated to backing the NDA govt.

Tharoor, a Congress leader and a Central Working Committee (CWC) member, is seeking a fourth term in the Lower House from Thiruvananthapuram. He has been engaged in a tight electoral fight and bitter war of words with Chandrasekhar. Tharoor is assured of securing the seat for the fourth time, citing the affection and support he has received from the constituents during his campaign. He has addressed the concerns of the coastal folk regarding the Vizhinjam port issue and has a strong track record of working for the constituency.

Why this matters: The Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha race is seen as a crucial battle for all three major parties - BJP, Congress, and Left. The outcome could have implications for the political landscape in Kerala and the overall performance of these parties in the state.

Both Chandrasekhar and Raveendran have criticized Tharoor as an "absentee MP", while Tharoor's pitch is centered around defeating the BJP's "misrule" and restoring India's multiculturalism. The BJP believes a split in anti-BJP votes, coastal votes, and anti-incumbency against Tharoor will help the party win its first Lok Sabha seat in Kerala. As the polling date of April 26 approaches, voters are evaluating the candidates and their chances in this high-stakes electoral contest.

Key Takeaways

• Rajeev Chandrasekhar (BJP) poses a strong challenge to Shashi Tharoor (Congress) in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Panniyan Raveendran (Left) is also a key contender, making it a closely contested triangular battle.
• BJP's campaign highlights central govt achievements, while Tharoor focuses on defeating BJP's "misrule".
• Minority Christian and Muslim voters (30%+) will be crucial in determining the outcome.
• The Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha race is seen as a crucial battle for BJP, Congress, and Left.