Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Not a good precedent for Governors to contest elections immediately after office, says Sreedharan Pillai

After serving as the Governor of Mizoram and Goa and ending your term, do you plan to return to active politics or electoral politics anytime soon?

I have not retired from politics and remain very active. However, despite pressure from the party and others from the Chengannur Assembly constituency, I chose not to enter electoral politics this time. I believe it is not a good precedent for governors to take office immediately after leaving office. Even though I had a good chance of winning from Chengannur (I received 42,600 votes in 2016 and benefited from extensive community support), I decided not to enter the contest. The lack of pensions for governors also means that I prefer to remain independent rather than relying on party.

There were reports that you were exploring contesting from Chengannur when you were the Governor of Mizoram ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. What actually happened?

There was no such offer at that time and I was not willing. I have never sought any office or position. The party was kind enough to give me everything.

While the Congress claims that there is a secret CPI(M)-BJP pact for the upcoming polls, the CPI(M) calls the Congress a “feeder organisation” for the BJP in Kerala. How do you respond?

Both claim some sort of agreement involving the BJP/NDA/RSS. The Prime Minister denies any understanding and claims that the CPI(M) has always treated the RSS as untouchables, but this is a Himalayan lie compared to past political realities. Can he deny that members of the RSS and the BJP (then part of the Janata party) worked for him in the 1977 elections? RSS pracharak KG Marar contested Uduma in 1977 and it was the CPI(M) district secretary who convened the election committee. There have also been instances of UDF’s election collaboration with RSS/BJP affiliated figures. O. Rajagopal, another RSS pracharak who joined Kasaragod in 1980, was supported by the UDF and IUML leader Cherkalam Abdullah was his election committee convener. What we are witnessing now is a clear shift in the strategy of both LDF and UDF. They have largely set aside recriminations and are instead focusing their attacks on the BJP, reflecting their concerns about its growing influence.

How do you evaluate the future of the BJP-led NDA in the April 9 elections?

The BJP-led NDA in Kerala is well positioned for a strong performance and the front is emerging as a formidable force. People prefer Narendra Modi and increasingly see the BJP as a viable and winning option in the state. This shift was clearly visible in last year’s three-stage local polls. We hope that with the right strategy, there will be a significant change in the upcoming elections.