Daijiworld Media Network – Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, May 21: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced that it will contest the Kerala Assembly Speaker election for the first time, days after opening its account with three seats in the state Assembly.

State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said newly elected Chathannoor MLA BB Gopakumar will be the party’s candidate for the Speaker’s post. The election is scheduled to be held on Friday.

The BJP secured three seats in the recently concluded 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, marking a significant electoral breakthrough for the party in the state.

Addressing reporters, Chandrasekhar described the development as a landmark moment in Kerala politics.

“For the first time in the history of Kerala politics, there will be a BJP candidate in the Speaker election. Gopakumar will be the BJP candidate. His name will be proposed by myself and Muraleedharan,” he said.

The BJP legislators elected to the Assembly include BB Gopakumar, V Muraleedharan and Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Meanwhile, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan for the Speaker’s election, while the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is yet to announce its candidate.

Before taking oath as MLAs, the BJP legislators-elect paid floral tributes at the Palayam Martyrs’ Memorial in Thiruvananthapuram.