Thiruvananthapuram, January 9, 2026 – In a significant political development in Kerala, Regi Lukose, a well-known face associated with Left-leaning debates and public forums, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday. The induction took place at the party’s state headquarters, Mararji Bhavan, where he was welcomed by Kerala BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Lukose’s Journey from Left to BJP
Lukose has been a prominent advocate for Left ideologies for over a decade. He has frequently appeared on television debates and contributed columns in newspapers and magazines championing the CPI(M) and Left causes for the past 13 years.
However, he explained that his perspective changed after observing what he described as the “decaying ideas” of the Left, which, in his opinion, no longer served Kerala’s long-term development.
“If such decaying ideas continued to be supported, Kerala would turn into an elderly care home. For some time, the development narrative and ideas propagated by the BJP had begun to strike me. The progress I often see while travelling in north India has shocked me,” Lukose said during his induction.
He also criticized what he perceives as the Left’s increasing focus on creating communal divisions, adding that the BJP’s emphasis on development had impressed him:
“Earlier, BJP used to be often called communal. But in the past several months, the transformation of the Left front as one that is intent on creating communal divisions has saddened many people like me.”
Lukose confirmed that he was previously a formal member of the CPI(M) but stated that going forward, his public commentary and political activity would reflect support for the BJP.
Reactions from CPI(M)
Senior CPI(M) leader K Anilkumar responded to Lukose’s shift, asserting that Lukose was not an official party member at the time of his public appearances.
“He is not a party member. If someone chooses to support the Left publicly, we cannot forbid them. At the same time, his words do not reflect the views of the party,” Anilkumar said.
This statement underscores that while Lukose was associated with Left ideologies in public discourse, his entry into BJP does not constitute a direct loss of formal membership for the CPI(M).
Political Significance
Lukose’s entry into the BJP comes as the party is actively trying to expand its influence in Kerala, particularly among the Christian community, which forms a significant portion of the state’s electorate. Traditionally a UDF bastion, Christians make up nearly 20% of Kerala’s population, and BJP strategists view gaining their support as critical for future electoral gains.
The induction of a former Left sympathizer who is well-recognized in public debates could provide BJP with both symbolic and practical leverage, signaling that the party can attract support even from erstwhile ideological opponents.
Conclusion
Regi Lukose’s switch highlights the shifting political dynamics in Kerala, where personal convictions, development narratives, and public perception increasingly influence political alignment. For BJP, this move is likely to enhance its credibility among sections of the electorate that were traditionally Left-leaning, while also reinforcing its outreach strategy among minority communities in the state.
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