He is scheduled to chair several party meetings and interact with bishops as part of his efforts to win over a section of Christians. He will also meet intellectuals and community leaders.
Shah's visit comes against the backdrop of the controversial public slaughter of a calf by Youth Congress workers. A party leader, however, insisted that his tour should not be linked to the incident as it was scheduled long back and is part of his organisation-building exercise.
The party's in-charge of the state H Raja said the meeting is aimed at "understanding each other" and added that Shah will undertake an "in-depth" analysis of the organisational work in the state during his three-day stay.
It has also been trying to cosy up to Kerala Congress (M), a former Congress ally that enjoys substantial following among Christians.
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Many BJP leaders believe that it is imperative for the organisation to win over a section of minority votes to emerge as a potent force in a state where Hindu votes are about 55 per cent. Muslims constitute about 26-27 per cent of the electorate.
Kerala is important in the BJP's strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as Shah expects to win a chunk of its 21 seats after the party increased its vote share substantially to 16 per cent in the 2016 assembly polls. It, however, could win only one seat. It had drawn a blank in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
It has built alliance with smaller outfits representing different communities.
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