Veteran BJP leader George Kurian has stepped down as a Union Minister after the conclusion of his six-year Rajya Sabha tenure, with the party choosing not to nominate him again to the Upper House. The resignation, accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a significant development for the BJP’s Kerala leadership.
Kurian, a long-time party member and prominent Christian face of the BJP in Kerala, had joined the Union cabinet in 2024 as part of the party’s efforts to strengthen its outreach to the state’s Christian community.
President Accepts George Kurian’s Resignation
The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced that President Droupadi Murmu has accepted George Kurian’s resignation under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution.
The decision came after Kurian’s six-year term in the Rajya Sabha expired. The BJP did not include him among its nominees for another term in the Upper House of Parliament.
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BJP Veteran’s Long Association With the Party
George Kurian, 65, hails from Kottayam in Kerala and has been associated with the BJP since its formation in 1980.
A lawyer by profession, he has held several important responsibilities within the party over the decades. His roles have included serving as a state general secretary, national secretary of the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha, and a member of the BJP’s national executive body. Kurian has also served as vice-president of the BJP’s Kerala unit.
Recognisable Face in Kerala Politics
Kurian became well known among Kerala audiences through television debates and political events. He frequently translated speeches delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah into Malayalam during their visits to the state.
He belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, one of Kerala’s most prominent Christian denominations.
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Cabinet Appointment Seen as Christian Outreach
In 2024, Kurian was inducted into the Union cabinet in a move widely viewed as part of the BJP’s strategy to expand its support base among Kerala’s Christian community.
The party has continued efforts to strengthen ties with Christians in the state. As part of this outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undertaken several initiatives, including inviting Christian community leaders for Christmas celebrations.
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Surprise Omission From Rajya Sabha List
According to BJP sources, Kurian was not informed in advance that he would be left out of the party’s Rajya Sabha nominations for this year.
The sources said he learned of the decision when the BJP released its list of 11 candidates on June 4.
His situation mirrors that of former Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who also had to resign shortly before the end of his Rajya Sabha tenure after the BJP chose not to renominate him.
Focus Shifts to Kerala Organisation
Sources indicated that Kurian has been asked to concentrate on organisational responsibilities within the BJP’s Kerala unit. The move comes as the party continues efforts to strengthen its presence in the southern state.
Electoral and Administrative Experience
In the 2016 Kerala Assembly elections, Kurian contested from Puthuppally against then Chief Minister and Congress candidate Oommen Chandy. He was unsuccessful in that election.
Earlier in his political career, he worked as officer on special duty to BJP veteran O Rajagopal during Rajagopal’s tenure as a Union minister in the Vajpayee government from 1999 to 2004.
Rajya Sabha Representation Changes in Madhya Pradesh
Kurian represented Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha. For the current round of Rajya Sabha nominations, the BJP selected Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal from the state for seats in the Upper House.
Conclusion
George Kurian’s resignation concludes his tenure as both a Rajya Sabha member and Union Minister after the BJP opted against granting him another term in Parliament’s Upper House. A longstanding BJP leader and prominent figure in the party’s Kerala outreach efforts, he is now expected to focus on strengthening the organisation’s activities in the state.
