Former CPM MLA S Rajendran officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala, ending weeks of speculation. He was welcomed into the party by state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the party’s state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. Rajendran is set to address the media soon to explain his decision and future political plans.
Rajendran had previously expressed his desire to join the BJP and had discussions with Rajeev Chandrasekhar regarding his political path. He emphasized that he had not made any personal demands before joining the party. Rajendran clarified that his choice was driven by the development interests of his district and confirmed he would not run for the Devikulam constituency.
A three-time legislator, Rajendran has a political career spanning 15 years and has also served as the president of the Idukki District Panchayat. His relationship with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had soured over the past four years. Following allegations of working against a party candidate, Rajendran was suspended and, despite the suspension ending, his membership was not reinstated.
Rajendran opted not to renew his CPM membership and actively supported BJP candidates during local elections. While he has stated he won’t contest from Devikulam in the upcoming Assembly elections, there is speculation that the BJP leadership might persuade him otherwise in the current political landscape.
