Surendran Pillai’s U-turn back to RJD; short trip to exit and back

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a political U-turn swifter than a campaign promise, former Minister V. Surendran Pillai has withdrawn his resignation from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) just two days after storming out.

The drama began when Pillai, the RJD state vice president, resigned in protest over the party’s "submissive" stance within the Left Democratic Front (LDF). He claimed the RJD was being sidelined after leadership accepted only three seats for the April 9 elections without consulting the state committee. Speculation immediately spiked that Pillai might run as an independent or join the BJP.

However, the "rebellion" ended Saturday after a personal intervention by State President M.V. Shreyams Kumar. "I felt the RJD was being ignored in the front, but I was wrong," Pillai admitted, confirming he will also remain head of the Janatha Labour Union.

With the rift healed, the RJD avoids a high-profile defection just weeks before the polls. Pillai’s return stabilises the party’s base, even if it means he won't be on the ballot in Thiruvananthapuram this cycle.