THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: EP Jayarajan, member of the CPM central committee and convener of the LDF admitted on polling day to having a meeting with Prakash Javadekar, BJP Kerala Prabhari in the presence of Dalal Nandakumar came as a surprise blow to the party and LDF. With the Congress alleging a CPM-BJP alliance and claiming the Chief Minister's knowledge of the meeting, the party may take action against EP to salvage its reputation.

EP confessed to meeting Javadekar at his son's flat in Akkulam, Thiruvananthapuram, further fueling speculation that he is aligning with the BJP, possibly eyeing a governorship or union ministerial position. Despite EP's insistence that the meeting was personal and initiated by Javadekar, the UDF's allegations of a CPM-BJP nexus gained traction, putting the party on the defensive. Chief Minister Pinarayi intervened swiftly to mitigate the controversy, fearing its impact on the election.

Pinarayi's rebuke of EP was also prompted by past incidents, including the resort controversy, which had irked the party. He warned EP sternly citing a saying, 'If Shiva joins a sinner, Shiva will also become a sinner.'

However, Pinarayi attempted to downplay the controversy by acknowledging that there was no wrongdoing in Jayarajan meeting Javadekar, revealing that he himself had met the BJP leader. This statement was seized upon by the Congress.

In the event of an LDF defeat, V D Satheesan asserted that CPM would likely scapegoat EP Jayarajan.

Shobha Surendran's recent allegation that a Kannur CPM leader, at odds with Pinarayi had held talks with the central BJP leadership to defect was speculated to be aimed at EP. His open admission of meeting Javadekar, particularly on election day, further fueled speculation.

There was a controversy when EP said during the campaign that the contest is between LDF and BJP and that BJP has the best candidates. The Chief Minister and MV Govindan immediately intervened and corrected the contest to be between LDF and UDF.

With Kodiyeri's demise, EP Jayarajan who was hoping for the post of CPM state secretary and PB membership. Earlier it was alleged that he was very dissatisfied with what was given to M V Govindan.