Chathannur MLA B.B. Gopakumar Rejects Allegations of Secret Political Deal

B.B. Gopakumar, the first BJP MLA elected from Kollam district, on Saturday rejected allegations of a secret political understanding between the BJP and CPI(M) in Chathannur and Kottarakara, stating the claims were an attempt to deflect from the United Democratic Front's electoral setbacks. Speaking in Chathannur on May 9, 2026, Gopakumar said his victory reflected the electorate's recognition of his long-standing engagement and their desire for change.

Gopakumar highlighted developmental challenges across the constituency, particularly in the cashew industry, and pledged to coordinate resources from the Union and State governments with local panchayats to improve public welfare. He identified the long-pending demand for the creation of Chathannur taluk as a key legislative priority, underscoring his commitment to administrative reform and regional representation.

He challenged the UDF to examine its own declining support, noting that its vote share in Chathannur had dropped since the previous Lok Sabha election, despite a strong showing by N.K. Premachandran a year earlier. Gopakumar argued that if vote shifts were grounds for suspicion, the UDF's win in the Kollam Assembly seat—where LDF support dipped—could similarly be questioned. He added that the LDF’s decision to change its candidate likely prevented a larger defeat.

Gopakumar said he would begin consultations with state and central authorities in the coming weeks to advance the taluk proposal and address sector-specific grievances. The Kerala Legislative Assembly is scheduled to convene next month, where the new MLA is expected to formally present regional development demands.