Two Congress leaders, B.S. Anoop and R.S. Arun Raj, joined the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, expressing dissatisfaction with the Congress leadership. Both leaders, denied tickets for the upcoming Assembly elections, are expected to contest from Chirayinkeezhu and Chadayamangalam respectively. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed them, stating that sincere workers cannot grow in the Congress.