George Kurian - BJP's Christian Face From Kerala - Gets Cabinet Berth

George Kurian, a Christian face of the BJP in Kerala, has been inducted in the Modi's Council of Ministers as a surprise entry.

Kurian's political journey began when he was only a teenager. Starting off as a 19-year-old, to now holding a key figure in the Ministry, his dedication to the Hindu right-wing organisation, RSS, is marked by his resilience despite the challenges he faced.

Kurian made the controversial decision to join BJP as a Christian youth from a conservative background in Kerala. This move, rare at the time, drew criticism, especially from his community members.

Over the years, Kurian has held several important positions within the BJP. His roles have included serving on the national executive committee, being the national vice-president of Yuva Morcha, and acting as vice-chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. Kurian's legal and academic background, with an MA and LLB, further strengthened his credentials within the political sphere.

His appointment to the Modi-led cabinet underscores his significant connections with the central BJP leadership and his importance to the party's strategy in Kerala. His presence in the Cabinet is seen as a strategic move to enhance BJP's appeal among the Christian community in Kerala, reflecting a broader effort of the saffron party to gain a foothold in the southern state. This strategy is akin to the earlier appointment of Alphonse Kannanthanam during Modi's first term - a move that failed to yield any electoral victory for BJP.

Despite BJP's limited success in Kerala in the past, Kurian's inclusion in the Cabinet is part of a continued effort to strengthen the party's position in a state which has traditionally been a Left bastion.