Political situation in Kerala to figure in Shah's discussions with BJP leaders

They said that Shah, on his arrival in Kerala, would inaugurate the BJP district office building in Kannur, one of the politically sensitive districts of the state in the morning.

Later, the BJP chief would arrive here en route to attend the 'Mahasamadhi Navathi' of Sree Narayana Guru, the renowned philosopher and social reformer of modern Kerala, at a function at the Shivagiri mutt at Varkala.

He would also hold discussions with state BJP leaders on the prevailing political situation in Kerala, they said Shah would return here would and leave for New Delhi on October 28 morning, the sources said.

The BJP chief's visit assumes significance as the saffron party in the state is on the warpath against the CPI(M) led LDF government over its decision to implement the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayappa hill shrine.

A bypoll is also due at Manjeswaram assembly segment at Kasargod following the death of sitting IUML MLA P A Abdul Razak early this month.

IUML is a partner in the Congress led UDF opposition.

In the 2016 assembly polls, Razak had won the seat by a narrow margin of 89 votes, defeating BJP's K Surendran.

The CPI(M) candidate C H Kunhambu came third.