Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sobha Surendran on Sunday launched her campaign for the upcoming Assembly election in Palakkad even before the party officially announced its candidates. She inaugurated the party’s election wall-painting as part of the early campaign activities in the constituency.

However, the absence of BJP East district president Prasanth Sivan from Ms. Surendran’s programmes sparked speculation about growing dissent within the party and his dissatisfaction over being denied the Palakkad seat.

Later, Mr. Sivan joined Ms. Surendran after being summoned by BJP State vice-president C. Krishnakumar.

Ms. Surendran began her election campaign with a visit to the Karnakiyamman Temple at Moothanthara, considered a stronghold of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Palakkad.

‘Conspicuous by absence’

Although Mr. Sivan lives close to the temple, he was conspicuous by his absence when Ms. Surendran launched her campaign. He was also not present when she inaugurated the election graffiti.

However, Mr. Krishnakumar and other senior leaders later intervened, pacified him and summoned him to the programme.

Mr. Sivan also stayed away when Ms. Surendran addressed the media later in the day. Dismissing reports of internal rifts, Ms. Surendran said the party would face the election unitedly.

She said Mr. Sivan was like a son to her. “If Prasanth (Sivan) becomes the candidate, I will welcome him by draping two shawls over him. There are no issues between us,” she said.

Mr. Sivan had earlier remained absent when Ms. Surendran visited the house of Sreenivasan, the slain RSS leader, in Palakkad.

The BJP State leadership is learnt to have considered Ms. Surendran for Palakkad after dropping Mr. Sivan’s name. Though he was offered the Nenmara constituency, the BJP’s ally BDJS refused to vacate the seat.

Mr. Sivan is also learnt to have declined the Alathur constituency, where he had contested in 2021 and secured only 13.56% of the votes.