Reji Lucose, a former Left supporter, joins BJP

Reji Lucose, known to be a Left sympathiser and often seen on news channels engaged in fierce defence of the Left, has joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mr. Lucose was formally inducted into the party at a function held at Mararji Bhavan here on Thursday (January 8, 2026), with the BJP State president, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, presenting him with the party membership.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lucose said that old, outdated and run down ideologies were pushing the State to a serious crisis.

“There is no ideological ground for a political battle in Kerala at present. Youth are leaving the State in droves and if this trend continues, Kerala will soon be the home of the aged,” he said.

Mr. Lukose, who has been a staunch defender of Left policies till now, said that he has great hopes for the development vision put forth by the BJP. His voice will now speak only for BJP, he added.

He said that it was the development agenda of BJP’s national leadership that attracted him to the party. He said he was deeply disappointed and saddened by the CPI (M)’s policies which were promoting a divisive communal agenda in Kerala.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Chandrasekhar said the results of recent local body elections were proof that the people of Kerala were batting for the development agenda for the State that BJP had set forth.

He said the same vision would be taken forward in the Assembly elections as well. Mr. Chandrasekhar also announced that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would visit Kerala to inaugurate the party’s election campaign activities.