New Delhi: In a major embarrassment for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a promo song released by the party's Kerala state unit calls on people to defeat the "government at the centre that is known for corruption."

The goof-up came to the notice of the state party leadership after it had gone viral on social media, inviting all kinds of reactions. The state leadership then, according to the Deccan Herald, sought an explanation from those responsible for the goof-up.

Citing sources, the newspaper said the audio (song) used in the promo video dates back to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government days when BJP was in opposition. The song was prepared in the run-up to the 2014 election.

On the other hand, controversy also erupted over a poster which said Kerala BJP president K. Surendran will have lunch with "SC and ST leaders" on February 20. Those critical of the poster said the poster reflected the "upper caste mindset" of the BJP leadership.

However, Surendran called it an "unnecessary controversy" being created by those who are uncomfortable with SC and ST communities moving closer to the BJP.

The BJP has set its sights on Kerala ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, given that an electoral victory in the state has eluded it for long. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits to temples in Kerala and the party's outreach programmes to the nearly 20% Christian community in the state, the party hopes to break the electoral jinx this time around.

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