Latest news with #Chandrasekhar
The Print
3 days ago
- Business
- The Print
A Malayalee from Gujarat is shaking up Kerala BJP. Rajeev Chandrasekhar's un-Sangh poll campaign
In his campaign mode, the Malayalee politician from Gujarat is not just trying to familiarise himself with his roots, but also making an effort to leave his technocrat footprint on the state—where the BJP is yet to find a firm footing—for rising beyond 'underdevelopment and misgovernance'. As Kerala heads to the local body polls scheduled in December, before the all-important state elections early next year, the former Union minister is focusing on a campaign focused on 'Viksit Keralam' with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schemes as its pivots while projecting a more inclusive perception of the BJP. Thiruvanthapuram: When Rajeev Chandrasekhar became the BJP's Kerala chief in March, it was a break from the usual dyed-in-the wool Sangh background leader taking over the responsibility. Three months on, the businessman-turned-politician is moving ahead with a strategy visibly different from his predecessors. Before his political career took flight in 2006, when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha representing Karnataka, Chandrasekhar had worked with tech companies, including Intel and Softech. He has a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a Master's in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. In 1994, after returning to India, he founded BPL Mobile, one of the country's earliest and largest mobile cellular networks. Nearly three decades later in 2021, he was appointed Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The BJP leader, however, lost to Shashi Tharoor last year in Thiruvananthapuram. One of his first major events Chandrasekhar organised after taking over from was the launch of the 'Viksit Keralam convention' across the party's 30 organisational districts. A team of over 600 functionaries, dubbed Team Vikasita Keralam, oversaw the campaign, which targeted the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) over alleged misgovernance. At the State Office Bearers meeting of BJP's 'Team Vikasita Keralam' held today at Mararji Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. Senior party leaders and key functionaries from across the state participated in the meeting, which focused on sharpening organizational strategy and… — Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) July 18, 2025 At the same time, they highlighted the Modi government's development schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana aimed at providing easy access to credit for small business owners and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) that looks to improve rural road connectivity. This month, Chandrasekhar expanded the effort further by setting up help desks in all district headquarters, reportedly the first in BJP, to ensure that awareness on central schemes reach every citizen. 'All BJP district and constituency offices will function as public service centres. This is not politics, the aim is to deliver development,' he said inaugurating the initiative last week, adding that these help desks will soon be available as an app on BJP workers' phones, enabling citizens to learn about and access various schemes or file complaints. Political analyst and former journalist K.P. Sethunath highlighted that this was the first time that a technocrat was appointed as the Kerala party chief instead of a conventional politician. 'Earlier, the BJP state chief always had a core RSS background. Now, anti-minority rhetoric has been scaled down by them. They don't need the BJP to do it anymore; fringe elements will,' he told ThePrint. Though Chandrasekhar has been not able to inculcate a Malayalee image, he said, the campaign might convince many to go for a change in the southern state. Sethunath said the BJP campaign would target Kerala's urban middle class, particularly upper-caste and upper-class voters disillusioned with LDF and UDF. However, he added that the BJP might have to defend this campaign as its Viksit Bharat initiative is currently receiving setbacks due to its efficiency and outcomes. The eroding Modi magic in the national level could also impact the party's prospects as Chandrasekhar's campaign was solely focussed on 'Modi vision' for India, he asserted. BJP general secretary Renu Suresh said Chandrasekhar's appointment signaled the Centre's serious intent to grow in Kerala. 'He has close ties with the central government and understands their initiatives well. That helps in coordination,' she said, adding that the party's developmental focus aligns with his leadership. Also Read: RSS to Raj Bhavan via Goa BJP, now amid 'Bharat Mata' image row—tracing Kerala Governor Arlekar's journey Litmus test ahead While heading the party's campaign, the first step for the Kerala BJP chief to prove himself is the upcoming local body polls. The party's focus on the local body polls was also visible on Saturday when Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state to address ward-level functionaries. Currently, BJP controls two municipalities and 19 gram panchayats. Kerala has a total of 1,200 local bodies encompassing 6 municipal corporations, 87 municipalities, 14 district panchayats, 152 block panchayats, and 941 gram panchayats Keeping Chandrasekhar close to him on the stage, Shah said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will contest in 21,000 locations and ensure its presence at every booth with more than 25 percent of the vote share. The pitch was Viksit Kerala, which, he said, would be impossible without the BJP and the NDA. 'The foundation of this vision rests on three key principles of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji: first, governance without corruption; second, no discrimination in the implementation of government schemes; and third, a commitment to Kerala's development, rising above vote bank politics,' Shah said. Many party leaders said Chandrasekhar's arrival has energised grassroots workers. 'It was his idea to focus on grassroots cadre-building. Now, responsibilities have been clearly assigned to both new and old members,' said Renu. She also acknowledged that the party was previously seen as inactive between elections but is now increasing its public outreach ahead of the local polls. In each booth, a three-member committee has been set up to ensure coordination and leadership roles for local cadres, a party functionary from Ernakulam said. BJP general secretary Anoop Antony told ThePrint the party is aiming to capture power in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur municipal corporations, along with several municipalities and dozens of gram panchayats. This confidence stems from BJP's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Chandrasekhar improved the party's vote share in Thiruvananthapuram from 31.30 percent in 2019 to 35.52 percent, while actor-politician Suresh Gopi secured BJP's first-ever Lok Sabha seat from Thrissur. Imprint on Kerala unit On 12 July, the party appointed 10 vice-presidents, including former IPS officer R. Sreelekha, K.S. Radhakrishnan, C. Sadanandan Master, Advocate B. Gopalakrishnan, Shone George, M. Abdul Salam, K. Soman, K.K. Aneesh Kumar, C. Krishnakumar, and P. Sudheer. Four general secretaries were named: M.T. Ramesh, Sobha Surendran, Adv. S. Suresh, and Anoop Antony Joseph. Three Christians—George, Joseph and secretary Jiji Joseph—were included in the BJP state committee members, signalling the party's long-term efforts to woo the community. Sobha Surendran, who had publicly criticised K. Surendran and was previously excluded from his core committee, has now been inducted as a vice-president and a core committee member. Meanwhile, a former state committee member who was recently embroiled in a 'half-price' scam, has been dropped. BJP leaders told ThePrint that despite the reshuffle, internal tussles have been minimal. However, they acknowledged that a more 'inclusive' leadership profile is essential for electoral success. 'To come to power in Kerala, we need Christian and Muslim votes. While the Muslims remain reluctant, we are seeing a strong Christian participation, which should be reflected in leadership, too,' a senior party leader told ThePrint. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Legs hacked by Left supporters, how RS entrant Sadanandan's case played out in the courts
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Post offices evolving into modern service hubs, says Pemmasani
Razole (Konaseema District): Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr Chandrasekhar Pemmasani inaugurated the newly built Head Post Office at Razole in Konaseema district on Thursday. Minister for Social Welfare Dola Veeranjaneya Swamy, Razole MLA Deva Varaprasad, and MLC Perabathula Rajasekharam also took part in the programme. Speaking at the event, Pemmasani explained the transformation of post offices from mere mail centres into modern service hubs offering savings and payments banking, parcel delivery, and other digital services. Dr Chandrasekhar said that Andhra Pradesh has achieved a remarkable 14% growth in postal services, double the national average of 7%. He lauded the state's performance, attributing it to the adoption of modern technologies and efficient service delivery. He informed that post offices are now delivering parcels within 24 to 48 hours and have introduced mobile ATMs operated by postal staff to enhance last-mile connectivity. 'Today, every village can access a range of essential services through the local post office,' he said, emphasising the increasing importance of postal services in everyday life. The minister also appreciated the postal department's role in distributing Rs 1,500 crore to beneficiaries under the 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme launched by the Andhra Pradesh government. He further stated that the central government has invested Rs 5,000 crore in upgrading the postal IT infrastructure nationwide, equipping every post office with advanced technology. Services such as parcel tracking and SMS updates are now integrated, enabling prompt delivery and transparency. Amalapuram MP Ganti Harish Madhur submitted various local issues to the minister. The minister assured him that he would take steps to resolve the issues. Dr Chandrasekhar thanked the people of Konaseema for their warm hospitality and praised their patience and sincerity.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Minister inaugurates new Head post office in Razole
Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, on Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed Head post office building in Razole, aimed at providing enhanced services to Razole and the surrounding rural areas. Amalapuram MP Ganti Harish Madhur, was also present at the occasion. The newly constructed HPO building has been developed at a cost of ₹2 crore. The Union Minister also virtually inaugurated the Peddapuram post office building under Kakinada Division constructed at a cost of ₹1.78 crores. Addressing a public meeting at Mangena Gangayya Kalyana Mandapam, Mr Chandrasekhar said, 'India has two PMs — one is our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the other is the 'postman' in every village who ensures services reach the last mile.' He emphasised the rapid modernisation within India Post including real-time SMS alerts on article bookings and delivery, robust article tracking systems, and improved technological infrastructure to compete with private service providers in the market. Over the past year alone, ₹5,000 crores has been invested in modernising post offices. Mobile phones, biometric devices, and thermal printers have been distributed to 1.4 lakh postmen, transforming each into a 'Mobile ATM', he said. He added that the India Post plays a significant role in Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and added that of the ₹10,000 crore released under the 'Thalliki Vandhanam' scheme, ₹1,500 crore was distributed through post offices in Andhra Pradesh. He encouraged citizens to utilise postal savings and insurance services, which start with as little as ₹100, offering secure, trustworthy financial options for all. Mr. Chandrasekhar highlighted the 'Sukanya Samriddhi' scheme describing it as a vital initiative aimed at securing the future of the girl child through long-term financial savings. Mr Harish Madhur noted that post offices are no longer limited to just delivering letters — they are multifunctional service points.
United News of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
A ‘Viksit Gaon' is an achievable reality: Chandrasekhar
New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) Calling for a renewed focus on grassroots development, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar has noted that a 'Viksit Gaon' where every family has a pucca house with basic amenities, every youth is employed, and every woman is economically empowered is not a distant dream — it is an achievable reality. Speaking at the first Performance Review Committee meeting of the Ministry of Rural Development here, Dr Chandrasekhar underscored the critical role of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in building a 'Viksit Gaon' as the foundation for a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, according to a statement here today. He said rural development schemes are no longer just welfare measures but essential engines driving the nation's inclusive growth story under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cabinet Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Among flagship initiatives, MGNREGS stood out prominently in the Minister's address. Describing it as 'the strongest weapon against rural unemployment and distress migration', Dr Chandrasekhar highlighted the scheme's continuing relevance, particularly during agricultural lean seasons. With an annual investment between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1,00,000 crore, MGNREGS has generated over 250 crore person-days of work each year. More than 36 crore job cards have been issued so far, and over 15 crore workers remain active beneficiaries, said the statement. However, the Minister stressed the need to transition beyond mere wage payments. He called for a shift towards meaningful and durable asset creation, diversified work categories to ensure productivity, greater convergence with other developmental schemes, and enhanced community participation in selecting and planning work. 'The true potential of MGNREGS lies in its ability to create productive infrastructure that sustains rural livelihoods over time,' he said. In his review, Dr. Chandrasekhar also provided updates on several other key schemes stating that under PMAY-Gramin, over 3.22 crore pucca houses have been constructed so far. An additional 2 crore houses are targeted by 2029. The Minister called for the use of eco-friendly, region-specific technologies and cost-effective housing designs, he said. Similarly, PMGSY has ensured that more than 7.56 lakh km of rural roads are built. The Minister proposed setting up state-level road maintenance funds and encouraging community-based monitoring for improved sustainability. Under the DAY-NRLM, over 10.05 crore rural women have been mobilised into 91 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs), with cumulatively achieved bank linkages worth over Rs 11 lakh crore. Under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, 1.5 crore women now earn more than Rs 1 lakh annually — halfway to the government's 3-crore target, said the Minister even as he emphasised that future efforts must aim to scale up credit access, market connectivity, and skill advancement for SHGs and rural youth alike, the statement added. UNI AJ PRS
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala BJP chief rejects reports of discontent among leaders over party revamp
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday (July 13, 2025) rejected reports of discontent among some leaders over the recent organisational revamp in the State unit, saying that fresh faces coming into party posts is a natural phenomenon. In the BJP, everyone is equal regardless of status or position, and all leaders work unitedly as a team with the sole objective of 'Viksit Keralam' (Developed Kerala) he told reporters here. He also made it clear that no leader will be left without any responsibility in the party's State unit. 'New people coming to party positions and existing leaders getting fresh responsibilities is a natural phenomenon. We are all working with the sole objective to realise Viksit Keralam,' Mr. Chandrasekhar said while replying to a question. He also said there was no need for leaders to get disappointed seeing the process. 'There is no concern or worry for any leader in our party in this regard. We are working as a team,' the BJP State chief added. The senior leader's remarks came amidst media reports that a section of leaders in the BJP State unit were unhappy over the new changes made as part of the organisational revamp. In view of the upcoming local body and Assembly elections, a major reshuffle was announced in the BJP State unit, making some significant changes last week.
