Thrissur (Kerala), Ending its more than seven decade long political drought in Kerala, the BJP on Tuesday opened its account in the state through actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who won his historic victory with a massive lead of over 74,686. Recorded victory. Vote in Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency.
Gopi defeated CPI leader VS Sunilkumar in a thrilling contest.
According to Election Commission data, Gopi got a total of 4,12,338 votes, while Sunilkumar had to be content with only 3,37,652 votes.
Senior Congress leader and MP K Muraleedharan stood third with 3,28,124 votes, it said.The result was a major blow to the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF, which even till the last minute defied various exit polls which predicted Gopi's victory and the possibility of a lotus bloom in the state. Went. ,
Political rivals claimed that the fight would be between their candidates VS Sunilkumar (CPI) and K Muraleedharan (Congress).
The counting of postal votes also gave the impression that their calculations might be correct, as Sunilkumar had an lead initially.
But in the later rounds, Gopi came to the fore, steadily increased his lead and never looked back.
With a strong lead and an impressive victory, Suresh Gopi has proved wrong the long-held belief of traditional fronts that Kerala will remain as elusive for the saffron party as ever.The National Award-winning actor had earlier tried his luck in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and 2021 Assembly elections from the same Central Kerala constituency, but was rejected by the voters.
However, Gopi, who was reluctant to step back from politics, continued to focus on Thrissur and spent the bulk of his wealth over the years as a Rajya Sabha MP with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
A staunch loyalist of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gopi has faced not only criticism from political rivals but also harsh and sarcastic trolls during his political journey so far.
His slogan "Thrissur Njaningedukva (I am taking Thrissur)", made during the last election, was widely discussed in the political circles of the state, but was largely ridiculed by opponents after his defeat in 2021. It was used.
The recent harassment case filed by a woman journalist was also a challenge to his political career.The actor and his family's offering of a golden crown to a church in the constituency also sparked controversy.
However, the BJP national leadership, especially PM Modi, strongly supported Gopi and gave him the party ticket to once again contest from Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala.
Modi attended the wedding ceremony of Gopi's elder daughter at the famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple here in January this year, giving a clear indication that he was confident that he could be the key to her gaining a foothold in Kerala.
The total voters in Thrissur are a little more than 14.83 lakh. According to the latest update, 10,81,125 votes were cast.
Thrissur, an existing constituency of the Congress Party, has a sizeable presence of majority Hindus as well as minority Christian community.Speaking to reporters from his home in Thiruvananthapuram, Gopi expressed his gratitude to the people and gods of Thrissur for his historic victory.
He said he had to go through many 'struggles' and 'swim against the current' to achieve victory.
Calling the people of the constituency 'Praja Daivangal' (people who are God), he described Modi as his "political God".
Gopi defeated CPI leader VS Sunilkumar in a thrilling contest.
According to Election Commission data, Gopi got a total of 4,12,338 votes, while Sunilkumar had to be content with only 3,37,652 votes.
Senior Congress leader and MP K Muraleedharan stood third with 3,28,124 votes, it said.The result was a major blow to the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF, which even till the last minute defied various exit polls which predicted Gopi's victory and the possibility of a lotus bloom in the state. Went. ,
Political rivals claimed that the fight would be between their candidates VS Sunilkumar (CPI) and K Muraleedharan (Congress).
The counting of postal votes also gave the impression that their calculations might be correct, as Sunilkumar had an lead initially.
But in the later rounds, Gopi came to the fore, steadily increased his lead and never looked back.
With a strong lead and an impressive victory, Suresh Gopi has proved wrong the long-held belief of traditional fronts that Kerala will remain as elusive for the saffron party as ever.The National Award-winning actor had earlier tried his luck in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and 2021 Assembly elections from the same Central Kerala constituency, but was rejected by the voters.
However, Gopi, who was reluctant to step back from politics, continued to focus on Thrissur and spent the bulk of his wealth over the years as a Rajya Sabha MP with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
A staunch loyalist of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gopi has faced not only criticism from political rivals but also harsh and sarcastic trolls during his political journey so far.
His slogan "Thrissur Njaningedukva (I am taking Thrissur)", made during the last election, was widely discussed in the political circles of the state, but was largely ridiculed by opponents after his defeat in 2021. It was used.
The recent harassment case filed by a woman journalist was also a challenge to his political career.The actor and his family's offering of a golden crown to a church in the constituency also sparked controversy.
However, the BJP national leadership, especially PM Modi, strongly supported Gopi and gave him the party ticket to once again contest from Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala.
Modi attended the wedding ceremony of Gopi's elder daughter at the famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple here in January this year, giving a clear indication that he was confident that he could be the key to her gaining a foothold in Kerala.
The total voters in Thrissur are a little more than 14.83 lakh. According to the latest update, 10,81,125 votes were cast.
Thrissur, an existing constituency of the Congress Party, has a sizeable presence of majority Hindus as well as minority Christian community.Speaking to reporters from his home in Thiruvananthapuram, Gopi expressed his gratitude to the people and gods of Thrissur for his historic victory.
He said he had to go through many 'struggles' and 'swim against the current' to achieve victory.
Calling the people of the constituency 'Praja Daivangal' (people who are God), he described Modi as his "political God".
