Former Devikulam MLA S Rajendran’s decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not affect the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) in Idukki, said MM Mani, party veteran and MLA.
Speaking to the media at Panikkankudy here on Sunday, Mr. Mani said that Mr. Rajendran had no ties with the CPI(M) and was not even a party follower. “The CPI(M) had earlier taken disciplinary action against him,” Mr. Mani said.
Mr. Mani insisted that the move would not have any impact on the party’s performance in Devikulam or Idukki district assembly elections. “Even if I resign, the party will not be affected. The CPI(M) follows a different ideology which is not affected by individuals leaving it,” he added.
Mr. Mani also criticized Mr. Rajendran’s allegations that the party had “tortured” him over the years, leading to his exit. “Yes, the CPI(M) tortured him by making him the Devikulam MLA three times and also the district panchayat president,” Mr. Mani said. “He’ll get a big pension and when he dies, so will his wife,” he added sarcastically.
Party panel findings
A CPI(M) commission of inquiry had earlier found that Mr. Rajendran did not campaign for the party’s candidate A. Raja in the 2021 elections and allegedly tried to divert votes. The party leadership therefore suspended him for one year in February 2022. Since then, Mr. Rajendran has consistently distanced himself from the party.
In the last Lok Sabha elections, the state leadership of the CPI(M) tried to bring back Mr. Rajendran at the helm, but the effort was unsuccessful.
Published – 18 Jan 2026 19:49 IST