Rajya Sabha nomination from Maharashtra recognition for Kerala: BJP leader

Thiruvananthapuram: Former BJP state unit President V. Muraleedharan on Sunday said the party decision to nominate him for a Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra was a recognition accorded to Kerala by the BJP leadership.

"I do not see this as something personal for me. It's recognition for Kerala. I am the fourth person from Kerala to be given a seat in the upper house of Parliament after actor Suresh Gopi, Richard Hay (Anglo-Indian nominated member) and K.J. Alphons," said Muraleedharan, 59, who hails from Thalassery.

Since his younger days, he has been an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Muraleedharan told the media that his nomination is a "recognition the national BJP leadership is giving to Kerala".

Muraleedharan had come second in the Kazhakootam Assembly constituency in 2016 polls, pushing the sitting Congress legislator to the third position. The seat was won by present Minister for Devasoms Kadakampally Surendran.

Asked if he saw any prospects of his entry into the Union Council of Ministers, Muraleedharan denied such a possibility.