George Kurian's ministership: Loyalty rewarded

The ministership in the newly formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for George Kurian was a surprise not only to many but also to himself, as his appointment, besides being a recognition of his loyalty to the BJP from his early political career, is also the BJP’s expression of gratitude to the Christian community for helping to bloom the lotus in Kerala for the first time.

This move, alongside the appointment of Suresh Gopi, Kerala’s first Lok Sabha MP, is seen as a calculated effort to strengthen the party’s ties with the Christian community in Kerala, particularly the influential Syrian Catholic denomination.

Suresh Gopi won the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency with a margin of 74,686 votes, receiving a total of 412,338 votes against the LDF candidate who earned 337,652 votes and the UDF candidate who garnered 328,124 votes, with a combined total of 665,776 votes. This means he was still behind by 253,438 votes or 253,438 people were against Gopi's BJP. Despite this, George and some Christian groups take credit for Gopi’s victory, claiming that as a community, it was they who led him to victory.

Kurian, a prominent Christian leader within the BJP, hails from Kottayam, a district with a significant Christian population. His political journey began during his teenage years amid the Emergency period, inspired by Jaya Prakash Narayan's speeches.

Joining the Janata Party initially, Kurian soon aligned with the Jana Sangh in 1977, influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology. His commitment to the party solidified when he joined the BJP at its inception in 1980, despite its then marginal political presence.

Throughout his career, Kurian has held various positions within the BJP, ascending from the district president of Vidyarthi Morcha in 1981 to the national vice-president of Yuva Morcha. His steadfast loyalty to the BJP, even during challenging times like the 1982 Sangh Parivar protests against the construction of a Catholic church near Sabarimala, has been noteworthy.

These protests, which turned violent, led many Christian supporters to distance themselves from the BJP. However, Kurian remained dedicated, despite facing criticism from his community.

Kurian’s association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi dates back to his leadership in Yuva Morcha, where he developed a close relationship with Modi. This connection proved beneficial as Kurian was later appointed as a member of the National Minority Commission and eventually rose to the position of vice chairman during the first Modi government. His linguistic proficiency in Hindi and English has also made him a valuable asset, often serving as a translator at key party events.

Kurian's recent induction into the Modi cabinet, despite not holding a seat in either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, highlights the BJP’s intent to expand its influence in Kerala. His appointment is seen as part of a broader strategy targeting the 2026 assembly elections. This strategy was evident in the recent Lok Sabha election victory of Suresh Gopi from Thrissur, a constituency with a Christian majority.

Gopi's win was attributed to the support from Christian voters, the consolidation of the Hindu Nair community, and women voters.

The BJP's efforts to engage with the Christian community in Kerala have been ongoing. The party has previously seen Christian leaders like P.C. Thomas and Alphons Kannanthanam attempt to bridge the gap between the BJP and the Christian populace.

While Thomas’s initial foray into the NDA was marred by controversies and eventual disqualification from the Lok Sabha, Kannanthanam made strides in establishing relationships with Christian leaders and enhancing the BJP's appeal among Christians.

In recent years, the BJP leadership, including Amit Shah, has engaged directly with Christian religious leaders. This direct engagement was particularly notable in the case of Fr. Tom Uzhannalil, whose release from terrorist captivity in Yemen was highlighted as a diplomatic success by the BJP, furthering the party's reputation among Christians.

Modi’s personal outreach during his 2023 visit to Kerala, where he met with multiple Christian leaders, underscored the BJP's commitment to fostering strong relations with the community. The party's strategy in Kerala aims to attract Christian support while consolidating Hindu votes, positioning the BJP as a formidable alternative to the CPI(M) and the Congress.

Kurian’s appointment is expected to play a crucial role in this outreach, leveraging his strong connections with Christian organizations and the Catholic Church. By bridging the gap between the Christian community and the government, Kurian is anticipated to facilitate the BJP’s goal of establishing a significant political presence in Kerala, challenging the traditional dominance of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).

The BJP believes that gaining the support of prominent Christian groups like the Syrian Catholics will pave the way for broader acceptance among other Christian denominations, bolstering its prospects in the state.