P C George and Shone George contest as NDA candidates in Christian belt
March 17, 2026: With Kerala gearing up for Assembly polls on April 9, an unusual political contest has emerged in Kottayam, where veteran leader P C George and his son Shone George are both contesting as NDA candidates. The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded P C George from Poonjar and Shone George from Pala, constituencies known for their significant Christian voter base.
A seven-time MLA, P C George is a well-known figure in Poonjar, having represented the constituency multiple times over decades. He had earlier floated his own party, Kerala Janapaksham (Secular), before merging with the NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Known for his outspoken style, George has remained a prominent political presence in the region.
Meanwhile, Shone George, a state vice president of the BJP and former district panchayat member, said the decision to field both father and son came at the insistence of party leadership. Contesting from Pala, he faces leaders like Jose K Mani and sitting MLA Mani C Kappan. Despite talk of a triangular contest, Shone George claimed the real fight is between the NDA and Kappan, expressing confidence in the party’s growing strength in the constituency.