Key Points
- Direct Cash Support: Monthly deposit of ₹2,500 for women from BPL households via the ‘Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha Card’.
- Pension Hike: Social security pensions to be increased to ₹3,000 per month for the elderly and widows.
- Free Utilities: Two free LPG cylinders annually (Onam and Christmas) and 20,000 liters of free drinking water monthly.
- Infrastructure Surge: Construction of a Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur high-speed rail corridor and new Metro projects in major cities.
- Religious Reforms: Revamping of Devaswom Boards and a CBI inquiry into the Sabarimala gold smuggling allegations.
With the Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its campaign by releasing a comprehensive election manifesto titled ‘Sankalp Patra’. Unveiled in Thiruvananthapuram by BJP National President Nitin Nabin and State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the document outlines a transformative roadmap under the slogan ‘Vikasit Keralam’, or Developed Kerala.
The manifesto seeks to disrupt the long-standing political duopoly of the LDF and UDF by addressing the immediate economic concerns of middle-class and impoverished families, while simultaneously proposing massive state-wide infrastructure projects.
Direct Financial Empowerment for Women
Central to the BJP’s strategy is a robust appeal to women voters, who represent a decisive demographic in the state. The cornerstone of this effort is the proposed ‘Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha Card’, Food and Health Security Card. Under this scheme, eligible women would receive a direct monthly deposit of ₹2,500 to cover essential groceries and medical expenses.
The party has also committed to increasing the social security pension to ₹3,000, providing a significant safety net for senior citizens above the age of 70 and widows. These measures are designed to provide financial independence and stability in the face of rising living costs.
Alleviating Household Inflation
To combat the impact of inflation on the average kitchen budget, the BJP has promised two free LPG cylinders every year, specifically timed for distribution during the major festivals of Onam and Christmas. This is paired with a pledge to provide 20,000 liters of free drinking water per month to every household, a move aimed at providing immediate relief to urban and rural residents alike.
Transforming Healthcare and Connectivity
The ‘Sankalp Patra’ places a heavy emphasis on modernizing Kerala’s infrastructure and healthcare systems. Key promises include:
- Healthcare: The long-awaited establishment of an AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Kerala to ensure citizens have access to world-class medical treatment without traveling to other states.
- High-Speed Rail: A proposed high-speed rail corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur to drastically reduce travel time across the state’s length.
- Urban Transit: The launch of Metro Rail projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, alongside the completion of all existing phases of the Kochi Metro.
These projects are expected to serve as economic catalysts, creating thousands of local jobs and boosting the state’s industrial growth.
Religious Heritage and Transparency
Reflecting the state’s deep cultural roots, the BJP has pledged significant reforms to the management of sacred sites. The manifesto proposes a total reorganization of the Devaswom Boards to ensure that devotees have a greater voice in the administration of temples like Sabarimala and Guruvayur.
Furthermore, the party has vowed to initiate a time-bound CBI inquiry into the Sabarimala gold smuggling scandal to ensure transparency and accountability. National President Nitin Nabin asserted that these steps are necessary to move past the “game-fixing” politics of the current leading fronts and restore public trust in governance.
As the state prepares for the single-phase polling on April 9, the BJP’s focus on high-impact welfare and structural development sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in God’s Own Country.
