BJP In 'Shock' As Lone MLA In Kerala Assembly Supports Resolution Against Farm Laws

In an unexpected blow to Kerala BJP, its lone party MLA O Rajagopal supported the resolution moved by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the farm laws. The development was totally unexpected for the saffron party. Read on.

MLA O Rajagopal (File Photo)

Thiruvananthapuram: In an unexpected blow to Kerala BJP, its lone party MLA O Rajagopal supported the resolution moved by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the state assembly against the farm laws. The resolution moved by the CM was passed by the assembly unanimously.  During the discussion on Thursday, even though O Rajagopal raised his objection to certain references in the resolution, at the time of voting, he did not raise objections against it leading to its unanimous support in Assembly. "During the discussion in the Kerala Assembly, I opposed certain references made in the resolution against farm laws. But I do not object to the general consensus reached by the House against the farm laws. In a democracy, one has to abide by a consensus,": O Rajagopal told the media. Sources close to BJP's Kerala leadership have revealed that the party was "shocked" by the development, news agency IANS reported. The leadership on Thursday maintained they will talk to MLA O Rajagopal over his support to the state government resolution against the three farm laws as BJP state chief K Surendran told the media: "I have not seen Rajagopal's press conference, nor do I know what he has said. I will speak to him and let you know." When asked if there is a difference of opinion within the party over the farm laws, he defended it by declaring: "What are you saying? there are no two opinions on the farm Acts among Kerala BJP leaders." In Alappuzha, BJP State General Secretary MT Ramesh has also told the media: "Rajagopal is a senior leader and I did not think that he will support the resolution. He had earlier come out against the state government for bringing in a resolution against the farm Acts. I don't know what happened. Let me check and revert back". Highly placed party sources are reported to have divulged how the development was totally unexpected. A senior leader said: "The party is literally in a shock. We don't know what to do in this situation. The BJP will take a decision on this development." MLA O Rajagopal was Minister of State in Railways, Defence and Parliamentary Affairs in the Vajpayee-led union government. He is also the first BJP leader to enter the Kerala Assembly. Earlier, Rajagopal had supporting Left nominee Sreeramakrishnan during the voting of Speaker's post which was also seen as unexpected. The MLA, however, justified it by saying that he did so because the nominee's name had Lord Rama and Lord Sreekrishna in it. Meanwhile, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is in Thiruvananthapuram to attend a Sangh meeting and according to sources, the position taken by the veteran BJP leader in the Assembly will be deliberated upon in the highest echelons of the saffron party and Sangh. (With Agency Inputs) WATCH | No new year parties post 10 pm: Kerala govt releases stern guidelines