4 BJP leaders resign from party; express desire to join CPI(M)

: Accusing the state BJP of trying to create a divide in society over the Sabarimala issue, four leaders resigned from the party Friday and evinced interest in joining CPI(M), heading the ruling LDF in Kerala.

BJP state committee member Vellanad Krishnakumar, party's district leaders Uzhamalackal Jaykumar, Thelicode Surendran and V Sukumaran resigned from the BJP, alleging that the party tried to create a divide in society by using the Sabarimala issue.

"BJP tried to create a rift in society, exploiting Hindu emotions for electoral gains and it shows their political shallowness," Krishnakumar told reporters here.

He also alleged that the party has not yet called a state committee meeting to discuss the political situation.

"This shows that the RSS agenda was being imposed throughout the state using BJP machinery," he alleged.

"In order to maintain the secular fabric of the state and uplift the marginalised communities of Kerala, we need such progressive movements like the CPI(M), the leaders said in a release, adding that they intended to join the Left party.

The Supreme Court had on September 28 opened the hill-top shrine to women of all ages.

The state had witnessed massive protests by right-wing groups opposing the entry of girls and women in the 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple since the Kerala government decided to implement the apex court order.

The saffron party had been facing intense criticism from various quarters for calling back-to-back hartals on the Sabarimala row.

The indefinite fast staged by the party leaders in front of the state Secretariat here, demanding the lifting of prohibitory orders and other restrictions at Sabarimala, is yet to create any desired impact.

BJP chief Amit Shah had come out in support of the Ayyappa devotees and accused the CPI(M)-led LDF government of "suppressing" the Ayyappa devotees' agitation.

He had said on October 27 that an "Emergency-like" situation prevails in Kerala with the state government "playing with fire" in quelling with "brutal force" protests by Ayyappa devotees over Sabarimala issue.