Dissident BJP leader Sandeep Varier joins Congress ahead of Palakkad bypolls

He alleged that BJP state president K Surendran was indulging in adjustment politics with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and he was targeted by the party leadership for resisting it.

Thiruvananthapuram: In an embarrassment to the BJP in Kerala, dissident party leader Sandeep G Varier joined the Congress on Saturday.

The surprise move by Sandeep could become a setback to BJP's hopes in the November 20 bypoll for the Palakkad assembly seat in the southern state.

Sandeep said that he was feeling relieved for having exited from the 'camp of hatred' and taking membership in the 'shop of love'. He also alleged that BJP state president K Surendran was indulging in adjustment politics with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and he was targeted by the party leadership for resisting it.

Sandeep was a BJP state committee member and former spokesperson of the party. After he openly expressed his displeasure with the BJP leadership through a social media posts recently, even CPM senior leaders had welcomed him to the party.

Sandeep was received to the Congress by Kerala PCC president K Sudhakaran, opposition leader V D Satheesan, and AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi at Palakkad.

BJP state president Surendran reacted that Sandeep's decision would not affect BJP in any way. He said that Sandeep joined Congress expecting "bigger seats".