Former CPM Devikulam MLA S Rajendran first entered the Legislative Assembly in 2006. He won in 2011 and 2016. However, in 2021, S Rajendran was denied a seat. From that point on, the relationship between CPM and Rajendran worsened. He was suspended from the party. Lok Sabha elections are around the corner and reports say BJP has invited him to join the party. Against this backdrop, the Mathrubhumi representative interacted with Rajendran.

Excerpts from the interview

Will you join the BJP?

I haven't made any decisions. I don't have the habit of changing my opinions day by day. Apart from the BJP, other parties, including Congress, have invited me to join them.

Is it true that a BJP leader came to your house to invite you?

A friend had called to inform me that a BJP leader wanted to see me. It's against my values to not allow someone to enter my house. We had discussions. I explained my situation in CPM.
 
Weren't you given any offers?

They had asked me what I wanted. I haven't thought about such things yet. What am I supposed to tell them when I haven't decided anything?
 
You mentioned your situation in CPM; what is it about?
 
I was suspended from the party for a year in 2022. I was suspended over an allegation that I tried to defeat a CPM candidate. In the year 2023, my suspension was revoked, but as the party lost faith in me, I didn't renew my membership.
 
Have you completely abandoned the party?

What sort of question is that?! It doesn't mean I can't like our party if I don't renew my membership. The CPM is a party of the poor. We can admire the party from inside as well as outside. Membership is required only for those who benefit from the party. I am not interested in working with members who will deceive. 

For 40 years, I worked for this party. I was suspended by deceit. A report was made against me without conducting a proper investigation.
 
Didn't the party leadership attempt to bring you back?
 
Within three months of the suspension, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had intervened. I was asked to come back and work for the party. Govindan Master had asked me to stay closer and support the party. On February 9, Idukki District Secretary C.V. Varghese spoke about this. When it's time for the elections, it is usual they try to call back those who left and bring everyone together.