'Will never return to CPM'; S Rajendran clears air on political future

DEVIKULAM: Amidst rumour over his purported switch to BJP, Former Devikulam MLA S Rajendran said he would never take another chance to return to CPM. Rajendran blamed district secretariat member KV Sashi for fabricating evidence against him and warned the party to not harm him further or else he would be forced to think about other options. Rajendran for the past two years has been detached from CPM in the Idukki district.

Rajendran had said the other day that he was not interested in renewing CPM membership. The former MLA said it would be difficult for him to continue among deceivers within the party. Meanwhile, there were reports that the Tamil Nadu leadership is trying to bring Rajendran to the BJP.

BJP's national leader from Chennai and local leaders met Rajendran at his house last month and held discussions. After this, BJP state leader PK Krishnadas also contacted Rajendran through phone. BJP is eyeing to garner votes from the Thottam region of Munnar where Rajendran holds sway. Meanwhile, S. Rajendran came out stating that he would not join CPI-M. Rajendran is an influential leader in the plantation sector of Munnar. If BJP wins his trust, the saffron party in all probability will sow seeds of power in the hilltop region in an unprecedented manner.

CPM had suspended Rajendran from primary membership for a year on the complaint that he had tried to defeat CPM candidate A Raja from Devikulam constituency in the last assembly elections. Although the suspension period ended in January 2023, CPM delayed Rajendran’s reentry into active politics. Then in January, CPM State Secretary MV Govindan followed by District Secretary CV Varghese met and spoke to Rajendran, but yielded no results.

Former CPM leader S. Rajendran first entered the Legislative Assembly in 2006 defeating congress strongman A K Mani who was winning unrivalled in the seat since 1991.