PALAKKAD: BJP State President K Surendran has dismissed Sandeep Varier, who recently left the BJP to join the Congress, as a "local leader." Surendran strongly criticized the Congress party, accusing it of catering to the interests of select groups and compromising its inclusivity.

Surendran remarked, "The Congress has transformed into a party that panders to sectional interests, losing the inclusivity it once upheld in districts like Palakkad. Leaders like Shafi Parampil MP and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan have steered the party away from its original ethos, succumbing to external pressures."

Surendran questioned why those who sought blessings from Panakkadu community leaders did not approach other prominent figures like PJ Joseph or K Muralidharan. "Isn't anyone else in Kerala worth respecting?" he asked. He further criticized the lack of internal communication in Congress, pointing out that even DCC President Thankappan was reportedly unaware of these developments. K Surendran alleged that the party had been hijacked by a particular group.