CPM’s media face Reji Lukose joins BJP, alleges party’s ‘ideological deviation’

Thiruvananthapuram: A prominent Left voice in Kerala’s TV debate circuit, Reji Lukose, joined the BJP on Thursday, accusing the CPI(M) of drifting from its ideology and fostering communal divisions in the state.

Lukose was inducted into the party by state BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar at a function held at the BJP’s state headquarters. Speaking to reporters after joining, Lukose said he had been with the CPI(M) for 35 years but was “pained” by what he described as the party’s ideological deviation in recent months, claiming it had begun supporting communalism despite its earlier stance against it.

He also said he was drawn to the BJP’s “development agenda”, arguing that sticking to “outdated ideology” would harm Kerala’s future, and claimed he was impressed by development in North India. Lukose, a former international correspondent, has been known as a firebrand defender of the CPI(M) in media debates over the last decade.

CPI(M) leader and minister V N Vasavan sought to play down the development, saying Lukose never held any post in the party and that such departures would not affect the LDF, which would fight upcoming elections highlighting development and welfare measures.