Former CPM MLA S. Rajendran Joins BJP; Loss of Faith in Party Led to Political Shift
Thiruvananthapuram:
Former CPI(M) MLA S. Rajendran has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He formally took BJP membership at the party’s state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram from BJP Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Along with Rajendran, CPI leader Gurunathan from Idukki and CPM worker Santhosh also joined the BJP.
Rajendran had been in active discussions with the BJP leadership for nearly a month. As part of this process, he had earlier visited Thiruvananthapuram and held meetings with Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Speaking to the media after joining the BJP, Rajendran said that he decided to change his political path after losing faith in the movement he had served for decades. He clarified that he had not set any conditions for joining the BJP and that he has no desire to contest elections. He added that he received assurance from the BJP state president that the party would intervene to address long-pending issues faced by people in the High Range region. Rajendran also stated that he had not invited anyone to join the BJP along with him.
A long-time political activist, Rajendran said he had not been active in organisational politics for the past four to five years, though he remained present in public life. He described the period as one of severe mental stress. He alleged that party action was taken against him on the accusation that he worked against Devikulam MLA A. Raja. However, he claimed that no allegations had ever been raised against him even at CPM branch conferences. Rajendran said he had repeatedly appealed not to be harassed and added that he endured many difficulties.
S. Rajendran served as the CPI(M) MLA from the Devikulam Assembly constituency in 2006, 2011 and 2016. He has also served as the President of the Idukki District Panchayat. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Rajendran was suspended from the CPI(M) for allegedly working against the party’s candidate, A. Raja, in the Devikulam constituency. He was reportedly dissatisfied with the party’s decision not to reinstate him even after the suspension period ended.
Rajendran’s entry into the BJP is being viewed as a significant political development in Idukki district and the High Range region.
