CPI(M) leader MM Mani at a CPI(M) public meeting in Munnar on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Former Electricity Minister and CPI(M) veteran MM Mani has issued a stern warning to former Devikulam MLA S. Rajendran, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
At a public meeting of the CPI(M) in Munnar on Sunday, Mr. Mani said that if Mr. Rajendran posed a threat to the party, the party would deal with it. “The CPI(M) has made Mr. Rajendran a district panchayat president and a three-time MLA. The party has no obligation to keep him as an MLA indefinitely. We have no problem with him joining the BJP, RSS or any other party. But if he attacks the CPI(M) after receiving so many benefits, the party will deal with it,” Mr. Mani warned.
In response, Mr Rajendran said he was not afraid of Mr Mani’s threats. “When I was with the CPI(M), I gave complete support to the party,” he said. Sources said Mr. Rajendran was planning legal action against Mr. Mani over the public threat.
BJP meeting in Munnar
After months of speculation, Mr. Rajendran officially joined the BJP on January 18. The BJP has scheduled a public meeting in Munnar on February 8 and expects more leaders from the plantation sector to join the party. The party is also trying to expand its influence in the tribal community, including the Edamalakkudy tribal panchayat, with the support of Mr. Rajendran.
Sources said the CPI(M) is increasingly wary after Mr. Rajendran’s defection to the BJP. “Earlier, CPI(M) leaders claimed that the party had no problem with Mr. Rajendran joining any party. But Mr. Mani’s reaction suggests that the party is afraid of Mr. Rajendran’s influence in the Devikulam assembly elections,” the source said.
Published – 25 Jan 2026 20:22 IST
