BJP-BDJS emerges as third alternative force

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The  BJP has emerged as a third alternative force with the support of the  Bharat Dharma Jana Sena launched a few months ago.  A meeting of the NDA held here on Saturday evaluated the election results and felt that the front had performed creditably despite the onslaughts mounted  by the UDF and the LDF.

While the BJP had only 6.03 percent vote share in the 2011 Assembly elections when it contested over 130 seats, this time it got 10.5 per cent by contesting  98 seats. Though BJP-BDJS combine could garner only one seat, it still gained a combined vote share of 15 percent. In several constituencies, there was a triangular battle  with the UDF and the LDF.

In all the seven keenly contested constituencies of Malampuzha, Palakkad, Manjeshwaram, Vattiyoorkavu, Kazhakoottam, Chathannur and Kasargod,  the combine came  second. BDJS factor helped several  Ezhava BJP candidates.
SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan told DC that BDJS had proved its mettle in a short time.

“In Malampuzha, compared to 2011, the VS vote share came down from 57 percent to 46 percent. BJP candidate C. Krishnakumar came second ejecting Congressman V. S. Joy to the third position.” He said. The BDJS  contested only in 37 seats and gained 3.9 percent vote share.

The UDF has suffered due to  the growth of BDJS, he said.  Mr Amit Shah, BJP national president,  had congratulated BDJS president Tushar Vellapally on the party’s contribution to the growth of the BJP. T The BDJS will strengthen the organisation and increase the  membership, he said.