In his first major address since being elected as the first BJP MLA from Kollam district, B.B. Gopakumar emphasized the importance of respecting the electorate's mandate. Speaking on May 9, 2026, he reflected on his journey from being a consistent runner-up to winning in Chathannur, attributing his success to a strong connection with voters. Gopakumar highlighted the multifaceted challenges facing the constituency, particularly in the struggling cashew industry, and pledged to work towards the welfare of Chathannur by leveraging resources from the Union government, State government, and local governance systems. He also countered allegations from the United Democratic Front (UDF) regarding a supposed secret deal between CPI(M) and BJP, questioning the UDF's inability to maintain its previous vote share. Gopakumar suggested that the UDF should reflect on its own shortcomings rather than attributing electoral shifts to hidden agreements. He expressed a commitment to pursuing the long-standing demand for the formation of Chathannur taluk as a priority in his legislative agenda.