The Poonjar constituency in central Kerala has historically been considered a stronghold of the Kerala Congress, with George securing victory six times from the seat. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Poonjar in 1981, 1982, 1996, 2001, and 2006, establishing a long-standing electoral presence in the region.
Between 2011 and 2015, he served as the Chief Whip of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, holding a key administrative position within the legislature and playing a significant role in party coordination and assembly proceedings.
In 2016, George contested and won the Poonjar seat as an Independent candidate, defeating representatives of all major political fronts. Following this victory, he established his own political outfit, Kerala Janapaksham (Secular), in 2019, further consolidating his independent political identity.
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, George merged his party with the Bharatiya Janata Party–National Democratic Alliance, formally aligning himself with the BJP-led coalition.
However, George’s political career has also been marked by repeated controversies. He is widely known for making provocative public statements that have triggered criticism across political and social circles. Several of his remarks have been directed against the Muslim community and women, drawing widespread attention and condemnation.
Most recently, he sparked controversy by dismissing Mahatma Gandhi’s role in India’s independence movement, claiming that the country did not attain freedom through Gandhi’s efforts or generosity.
In March last year, he further escalated controversy by alleging that approximately 400 girls in a region of Kottayam district were affected by what he described as “love jihad.” He also made remarks suggesting that Christian girls should marry before the age of 24, statements that were widely criticized.
Despite repeated controversies, George has remained an influential political figure in Poonjar. However, the constituency’s political dynamics have evolved significantly over the years. A key turning point in his political trajectory was his fallout with his former Muslim support base in Erattupetta, which played a decisive role in his defeat in the 2021 Assembly elections. He contested that election as a Kerala Janapaksham candidate but lost to Sebastian Kulanthunkal of Kerala Congress (M).
In contrast, the same community had previously supported him in the 2016 election, enabling his victory even after he had left Kerala Congress and contested independently.
In the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, PC George faces a direct electoral contest against incumbent MLA Sebastian Kulanthunkal and Saji Joseph, the United Democratic Front candidate representing the Congress-led alliance.
Adding a further political dimension, George’s son, Shone George, serves as the State Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party and is contesting from the Pala constituency, extending the family’s presence in Kerala’s electoral landscape.
The return of PC George to the electoral arena under the BJP banner underscores a politically charged contest in Poonjar, reflecting both his enduring influence and the shifting alignments within Kerala’s competitive political environment.
About The Author
Comment List