INTERVIEW| BJP to focus on LDFs development failures, governance issues: Surendran

With local body elections around the corner, the BJP is banking on anti-incumbency and highlighting what it calls developmental failures of the LDF government. In an interview with TNIE correspondent Jose K Joseph, senior BJP leader K Surendran spoke about the partys campaign priorities, the states financial situation, and issues that will dominate the polls. Excerpts: What are the key issues the BJP is raising this local body election? The BJP is highlighting the severe financial and developmental crisis in Kerala. Over the past decade, the Centre has launched several major schemes, including the Smart City project, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Grameen Sadak Yojana, that have benefited many parts of India, including Kerala. However, the state government has failed to effectively utilise these opportunities. Many of these projects require the state to provide a small share of funding, but Kerala has been unable to do so. As a result, the benefits have not reached people. The LDF government has also reduced allocations to local bodies, which has further hurt development. These failures will be key issues for the BJP. Is the Sabarimala issue part of your campaign? Yes, absolutely. The widespread corruption and mismanagement at Sabarimala remain major concerns. The BJP is also raising the poor state of Keralas healthcare system. From primary health centres to medical colleges, most facilities run mainly on National Health Mission funds. Despite the governments claims of investing more in health, very little has been done on the ground. The LDF claims Kerala is facing a financial crisis because the Centre has withheld funds. How do you respond? That is a baseless claim. The state even went to the Supreme Court seeking additional funds, but the case was dismissed. For instance, the Thiruvananthapuram corporation received over Rs 700 crore under the Smart City project. Yet, issues like poor roads and water shortage persist. The Centre has released all funds due to Kerala properly and on time. Do you sense a pro-BJP sentiment this time? Yes. In many areas, our vote share has doubled since the last local polls, and we finished second in several wards. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP led in around 5,000 booths. This time, we will emerge as a decisive force in the local body elections.