Kerala Assembly Polls 2026: BJP president Nitin Nabin slams LDF, UDF; projects NDA as credible alternative in Kerala

Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Nabin on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing them of decades-long “match-fixing” politics and economic mismanagement, while positioning the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a credible alternative in Kerala.

He was speaking ahead of the formal launch of the NDA’s manifesto for the Assembly elections in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mr. Nabin alleged that despite Kerala’s immense human potential, the State had witnessed negligible industrial growth under successive LDF and UDF governments, thereby leading to economic stagnation and fiscal stress. He claimed that Kerala’s position on financial health indicators reflected “reckless borrowing” and a failure to generate sustainable economic growth.

According to him, the two political fronts had engaged in a match-fixing arrangement for decades, alternating in power without prioritising public welfare. “For 70 years, the people of Kerala have paid a heavy price,” he said, accusing both alliances of serving vested interests and political families at the cost of the State’s development.

The BJP leader also accused the rival fronts of engaging in appeasement politics, claiming it had come at the expense of other communities.

“On the other hand, the NDA has been witnessing a steady rise in its electoral support in Kerala. The BJP-led coalition’s manifesto reflects people’s aspirations and presents a clear break from decades of misgovernance,” he claimed.

Outlining the NDA’s governance vision, he said the alliance would focus on growth, security and public trust. He promised a corruption-free administration driven by technology and AI-based systems to ensure transparency, efficiency, and real-time service delivery. He added that the NDA aimed to implement a “citizen-first” approach that ensured equal rights, justice, and opportunities for all residents of the State.

Referring to the Sabarimala controversy, Mr. Nabin said concerns surrounding temple administration reflected a broader pattern of mismanagement under both LDF and UDF governments. He announced that an NDA government would set up a special commission to review temple audit reports in the past three decades, examine assets, and take action in cases of alleged misuse of power.

He also promised a time-bound probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged irregularities, including issues related to temple assets, and also pledged reforms in Devaswom boards to enhance devotee participation in temple management.