P.C. George returns to active politics; likely to jump on the Modi bandwagon

Firebrand leader P.C. George in talks to merge his party with BJP, hoping to ride on Modi wave in Kerala.

Ending a protracted break from the political mainstream, P. C. George, the firebrand leader with a knack for colourful demagoguery and a track record of political flip-flops, has opened talks to merge his party, the Kerala Janapaksham (Secular) [KJ(S)] with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mr. George, a seven-time member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and United Democratic Front (UDF) Chief Whip in the Oomen Chandy government, confirmed that his party was in discussions with the BJP’s national leadership.

Mr. George’s relationship with the UDF ended in 2015 following disputes with Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani. However, he returned to the Assembly in 2016 as an independent MLA from Poonjar constituency.

Mr. George’s relationship with the first Pinarayi Vijayan government soured after he purportedly felt cold-shouldered by the ruling front.

With his hopes to return to the UDF dimming, Mr. George slowly drifted to the right. He spoke against the LDF’s alleged move to violate Sabarimala traditions. He took a markedly right-wing position and appeared to endorse the BJP’s position in television debates.

His gravitation to the right incrementally gained momentum with the State government jailing Mr. George for allegedly spewing hate at the high-profile Ananthapuri Hindu Mahasammelanam in 2022.

Mr. George now hopes to end his political exile by seeking to ride on the crest of a perceived Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave in Kerala.