Thiruvananthapuram: The first-ever BJP lawmaker in Kerala is O Rajagopal. He lost 15 elections before winning his first at the age of 86.
Having contested polls from the Panchayat to the Lok Sabha, Mr Rajagopal or Rajettan, as he is known by his supporters, is a familiar face in the state.
"It's not the first time. Abraham Lincoln contested several elections only to be defeated... before he finally became US President. We pursue because we have an aim," Mr Rajagopal told NDTV.
In 2014, Mr Rajagopal gave Congress's Shashi Tharoor a tough fight. Finally, he made it to the assembly after defeating CPM strongman and former legislator V Sivankutty.
In his long political career, his latest milestone is perhaps most significant. His lone seat in the 140-seat assembly represents the BJP's debut in Kerala, a state that has never looked beyond two parties, the Left and the Congress.
"I even went and met CM-designate Pinarayi Vijayan. Political violence will be a concern for even the ruling party and we will have to work at it together for the peace of the state. It's in their interest too.", Mr Rajagopal said.
"The BJP and CPM have been hand in glove. Wherever BJP has won, It's CPM's vote share that they have got," Congress lawmaker KC Joseph told NDTV.
Having contested polls from the Panchayat to the Lok Sabha, Mr Rajagopal or Rajettan, as he is known by his supporters, is a familiar face in the state.
"It's not the first time. Abraham Lincoln contested several elections only to be defeated... before he finally became US President. We pursue because we have an aim," Mr Rajagopal told NDTV.
In 2014, Mr Rajagopal gave Congress's Shashi Tharoor a tough fight. Finally, he made it to the assembly after defeating CPM strongman and former legislator V Sivankutty.
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In his long political career, his latest milestone is perhaps most significant. His lone seat in the 140-seat assembly represents the BJP's debut in Kerala, a state that has never looked beyond two parties, the Left and the Congress.
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"I even went and met CM-designate Pinarayi Vijayan. Political violence will be a concern for even the ruling party and we will have to work at it together for the peace of the state. It's in their interest too.", Mr Rajagopal said.
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"The BJP and CPM have been hand in glove. Wherever BJP has won, It's CPM's vote share that they have got," Congress lawmaker KC Joseph told NDTV.
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