Two Congress leaders join BJP ahead of Kerala polls

Two Congress leaders on Friday joined the BJP and are likely to contest in the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala.

B S Anoop, who was the Congress candidate from Chirayinkeezhu in the 2021 Assembly polls, and KPCC working committee member R S Arun Raj joined the BJP at a function held here.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed them into the party by handing over membership.


Party sources indicated that Anoop and Arun Raj are likely to be fielded from Chirayinkeezhu and Chadayamangalam constituencies, respectively.

Read more: Kerala Congress closes ranks as 2 MPs relent on assembly poll ambitions

Both leaders had expected tickets from the Congress this time but were denied, prompting them to leave the party.

Anoop said injustice by the Congress leadership forced him to quit.

"I became a panchayat member at the age of 23 and have worked hard for the party. People in Chirayinkeezhu wanted me to be given the candidature, and even the leadership had assured it. However, the seat was later given to Ramya Haridas, despite objections from local workers," he said.

Arun Raj said that despite working through the KSU and Youth Congress, he and many others were sidelined during elections.

He alleged that leaders who had earlier been with the CPI(M) were now being accommodated by the Congress, which he termed as unjust to Youth Congress and KSU workers.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said leaders with a future in Congress are leaving the party.

"Those who want to work sincerely for the people and the nation cannot grow in the Congress. That is the current situation of the party," he said.

He added that the BJP welcomes those who are committed to public service.

Chandrasekhar also claimed that both Congress and CPI(M) workers are disillusioned with their leadership, leading to such exits, and that this is causing discomfort within both parties.