Cabinet set to clear move to rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’ ahead of polls

The Union Cabinet is set to consider a proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam, a largely symbolic but politically significant move ahead of state elections. The push follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2024 after an earlier draft was returned by the Union Home Ministry. The proposal has drawn rare cross-party backing, with BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar supporting Vijayan’s effort, arguing the change would restore the state’s original linguistic and cultural name without affecting governance or boundaries.