Kerala Political Shake-Up: Ex-CPI(M) Members Join BJP Ahead of April Polls

• Former CPI(M) leader VR Ramakrishnan and Left sympathizer Reji Lukose joined the BJP in Kerala.
• Lukose, a Left sympathizer for 35 years, cited CPI(M)'s 'communal divide' and BJP's 'development politics' as reasons for his switch.
• Ramakrishnan, a former CPI(M) leader from Attapadi, Palakkad, expressed confusion over his removal from the CPI(M) four years ago.
• Lukose was welcomed by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
• State Ports Minister VN Vasavan (CPI(M)) downplayed the shifts, stating they won't affect the Left front's election preparations.

Why It Matters: Key CPI(M) figures defect to BJP in Kerala, signaling significant political shifts before upcoming assembly polls.