In a move that signals shifting political allegiances ahead of the crucial assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala has secured two notable additions to its ranks. A former Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and a prominent Left sympathiser formally joined the party on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the state's pre-poll landscape.
Key Defections Shake Up Kerala's Political Scene
The joining ceremony, held on Thursday, 9th January 2026, saw V R Ramakrishnan and Reji Lukose aligning themselves with the BJP's state unit. Ramakrishnan is a former CPI(M) leader from Attapadi in the Palakkad district. His political journey took an independent turn recently when he contested in the local body polls as an independent candidate before making the leap to the BJP.
The second inductee, Reji Lukose, is a familiar face to those who follow Kerala's political discourse on television. Known as a vocal sympathiser of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Lukose has regularly appeared on TV debates to advocate for the ruling coalition's policies and positions. His decision to join the BJP is viewed as a symbolic and strategic gain for the party.
Timing and Implications for April Elections
The timing of these entries is highly strategic, coming just months before the Kerala assembly polls scheduled for April 2026. For the BJP, which has been striving to expand its footprint in the southern state beyond its traditional pockets, attracting leaders with grassroots connections and ideological diversity is a key tactic.
V R Ramakrishnan's background as a local leader from Palakkad could potentially help the BJP make inroads in a region traditionally dominated by the CPI(M) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). His recent independent candidacy also suggests a disconnect with his former party, which the BJP aims to capitalise on.
Reji Lukose's defection is perhaps more significant in the realm of perception and narrative. As a known media commentator for the LDF, his switch could be leveraged by the BJP to challenge the Left's ideological narrative and appeal to undecided voters who consume political news through television debates.
Analyzing the Broader Political Impact
These joinings are part of a larger pattern where the BJP is actively courting leaders from other political spectrums to build a more robust local leadership structure in Kerala. The party's goal is to emerge as a credible third alternative, breaking the bipolar politics that has long defined the state.
The immediate consequences are multifaceted:
- For the BJP: It boosts morale, adds local faces to its campaign, and generates media buzz.
- For the CPI(M) & LDF: It represents a minor but noticeable erosion of support, raising questions about internal cohesion.
- For the Political Discourse: It intensifies the pre-election competition, potentially leading to more aggressive campaigning.
While a single joining ceremony may not drastically alter the electoral arithmetic overnight, in the fiercely competitive politics of Kerala, every symbol and every seasoned local leader counts. As the battle for April heats up, all eyes will be on whether the BJP can convert these high-profile entries into tangible electoral gains.
