In the aftermath of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, a pointed question has begun circulating in political circles: did the Kerala Church betray the BJP? To understand why this question has gained traction, one must revisit the long and painful struggle of the Munambam residents. Their ordeal began in 2019 and continued for nearly six years.

The Munambam Crisis: When Life Came to a Standstill

In 2019, the Waqf Board declared large tracts of land in Munambam, a coastal suburb of Kochi, as Waqf property. This decision hit the local community like a shockwave. These were predominantly Christian fisher families many of whom have lived on this land for several decades.

The consequences were immediate and devastating. Residents were blocked from paying land tax. They could not sell, transfer, or legally transact their own property. Banks refused loans. Families could not build, renovate, or even repair homes. Every legal document involving land became frozen.

A detailed account of this crisis is available here: Kerala State Government on a Sticky Wicket: Pressure to Uphold Munambam Residents’ Rights After Waqf Amendment Bill

For years, the residents approached the Kerala state government and local political leaders. Both the Congress and the CPI(M) kept a safe distance from the issue. Neither was willing to confront the Waqf Board.

When the State Looked Away and the BJP Stepped In

It was only in early 2025 that the situation began to shift.

The BJP’s Kerala unit intervened first. They met residents, raised the issue publicly, and pushed for a legislative solution.

Soon after, the central government introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill. The Bill included provisions that directly addressed the Munambam crisis. When it cleared the Rajya Sabha, Munambam residents celebrated. For the first time since 2019, they saw a path to reclaiming their rights.

A detailed report on this turning point can be read here: A Long Wait Ends: Munambam Residents in Kerala Rejoice as Waqf Amendment Bill Clears Rajya Sabha

For many in the community, the BJP was the only political force that stood with them during their most difficult years.

The 2026 Election Shock: A Result Few Expected

Given this backdrop, the 2026 election results in Vypen, the constituency that includes Munambam, came as a surprise to many.

The NDA candidate, Anitha Thomas, suffered a massive defeat. She received a total of 13,637 votes, a paltry 10.37% of the total votes polled, losing to the winning candidate Tony Chammani of the INC by a margin of 52,475 votes.

For a constituency where the BJP had invested political capital, organisational effort, and legislative support, the result felt like a stinging setback.

Not Just Vypen. Other Losses Deepened the Shock

The disappointment was not limited to Vypen.

P. C. George

A seven‑time MLA with a strong personal following and deep roots in his constituency lost decisively. For many observers, this was the most unexpected defeat of the election.

Shone George

Despite a strong campaign and significant goodwill, he too failed to convert support into votes.

Anoop Antony

Another prominent Christian face for the NDA suffered a clear defeat.

Taken together, these results sent a message. Many in BJP circles interpreted it as a collective rejection by the Church leadership, despite the party’s efforts to support Christian communities in Kerala.

A Sense of Betrayal and a Political Question That Will Not Go Away

For the BJP, the Munambam issue was not just a policy matter. It was a chance to demonstrate solidarity with a marginalised Christian community that had been abandoned by the mainstream political establishment.

The party expected that its intervention, especially the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, would translate into at least some electoral goodwill.

Instead, the results told a different story.

This is why the question is now being asked, quietly but persistently: Did the Kerala Church betray the BJP, or was the BJP mistaken in expecting anything different?

The answer may shape how the party recalibrates its approach to Kerala’s Christian community in the years ahead.

A short video breakdown of the Munambam issue and the 2026 results is available here: