Kerala BJP member dies by suicide after being denied election ticket

Anand K Thampi, a former BJP worker and ex-RSS affiliate, reportedly died by suicide on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Media reports noted that Anand, a former BJP worker and former RSS affiliate, had been considered a potential candidate for the ward polls.

Initial accounts suggest Anand took the step after being denied a party ticket. Reports also claim he sent a suicide note via WhatsApp to media outlets before his death.

According to sources, Anand had considered contesting as an independent candidate after being denied a BJP ticket, with V Vinod Kumar named as the party’s nominee for Thrikkannapuram.

In his suicide note, Anand reportedly accused local BJP and RSS leaders of denying him a candidacy and of connections to a so-called “land mafia.”

He allegedly named leaders including Vinod Kumar, area secretary Udayakumar, constituency committee member Krishnakumar, and Nagar Karyavahak Rajesh, linking them to illegal land dealings.

“The biggest mistake I committed in my life is that I lived as an RSS worker… my identity as an RSS worker is also the reason why I reached the state to commit suicide,” the note reportedly stated.

The BJP has strongly rejected any association with Anand at the time of his death. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar told the media that Anand had joined the Uddhav Thackeray–led Shiv Sena and was not part of the BJP.

Party general secretary Adv. Suresh clarified, “Anand was never a BJP activist, and he was not considered for candidature. Our opponents are using this tragedy to target the party unfairly.”

BJP district president Karamana Jayan added, “Anand was not involved in any candidate discussions. He had prior links with the RSS, but he was not active in the BJP at present.”

Anand’s death comes amid a series of suicides affecting BJP and RSS circles in the state. On September 20, Thirumala ward councillor Anilkumar K ended his life. Subsequently, RSS worker Ananthu Aji also committed suicide, leaving a note and video alleging sexual misconduct in RSS camps.