Nagpur: BJP may have deployed a strong contingent of leaders from Maharashtra to bolster its poll campaign in Kerala, but workers on the ground admit linguistic and cultural gaps are emerging as key hurdles in voter outreach.Polling for the 140-member Kerala Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with counting on May 4. As part of the party’s nationwide mobilisation, leaders from Maharashtra have been assigned to oversee campaign efforts in over 80 constituencies. However, many are struggling to establish direct connect with voters in a state where Malayalam dominates daily communication.Central Nagpur MLA Pravin Datke, currently campaigning in Kazhakkoottam constituency, acknowledged the challenge. “We are carrying out intensive door-to-door campaigning, with repeated visits to booths. But yes, the language barrier does pose a big difficulty,” he told TOI.To overcome this, Maharashtra leaders are relying heavily on local party workers for translation and voter engagement. “In urban areas, communication is still manageable, but in rural pockets it becomes more difficult,” Datke said.Senior leaders from Nagpur, including former MLA Anil Sole, Girish Vyas and MLA Parinay Fuke, have been stationed across key constituencies, focusing on booth-level management and sustained grassroots outreach. Party insiders said while the external deployment strengthened organisational coordination, it has not fully bridged the communication gap.Beyond language, Datke pointed to a deeper political challenge — countering the perception that BJP cannot defeat the ruling Left Democratic Front. “Many voters who may be inclined towards BJP end up supporting Congress, believing it’s better placed to take on LDF. Changing this mindset is the biggest challenge,” he said.He also flagged what he described as a sense of hesitation among some voters. “There is a degree of fear about openly supporting BJP. Building confidence is crucial. If that happens, results can be surprising,” he added.Former Nagpur mayor and ex-MLC Anil Sole highlighted stark difference in campaign styles between Kerala and Maharashtra. “Campaigning here is far more subdued. There are no restrictions on posters and banners, and graffiti is widely used, something that reminds us of earlier election campaigns in Maharashtra,” he said.Former MLC Girish Vyas, who is camping in Thiruvananthapuram, echoed similar observations, pointing to the high visibility of campaign material and intensive grassroots outreach. “There are virtually no restrictions on posters and banners here. They are put up across public spaces and even outside houses without formal permissions. The campaign is largely driven by door-to-door outreach rather than large rallies,” he said.He added that candidates rely on pamphlets during house visits, including manifestos, candidate introductions and information on Central govt schemes. “The focus is on identifying beneficiaries of central schemes and connecting with them, especially since the state govt is not with us,” Vyas said.Highlighting organisational gains, Vyas said BJP’s growing presence in Thiruvananthapuram civic body could aid its electoral prospects. “With BJP securing the mayor’s post in the corporation for the first time, the network of corporators has strengthened. This could translate into better performance across the seven Assembly seats in the capital,” he said.With just days left for polling, BJP leaders say they are now racing against time — not only to expand their organisational reach but also to bridge the linguistic and perception divide that could significantly influence electoral outcomes.
