In yet another surprise following the decision by 'Metro Man' E. Sreedharan to join the BJP, the saffron party on Thursday announced the veteran engineer would be its chief ministerial candidate in Kerala.
Interestingly, Sreedharan joined the BJP formally at a rally on January 25.
BJP state president K. Surendran announced the decision to project Sreedharan as its chief ministerial candidate on Thursday. Surendran declared Kerala required a "corruption-free" development model and said if Sreedharan became chief minister, Kerala would get a "complete facelift". Surendran argued Sreedharan would be be able to implement projects of the Narendra Modi government more effectively.
Surendran was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, “The party will soon release a list of other candidates as well."
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Ever since announcing his intention to join politics, Sreedharan had repeatedly declared his desire to be projected as the chief ministerial face of the BJP, citing his distinguished record in public service.
In an interview to THE WEEK last week, Sreedharan hoped the BJP would see a "landslide migration" of voters to the saffron party in the coming Assembly polls.
On Thursday, Sreedharan announced it would be his last day wearing the uniform of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which he joined in 1997. Sreedharan said he would shortly tender his resignation as principal adviser of DMRC.
