Dissident BJP State committee member Sandeep Varier’s entry into the Congress on Saturday evoked mixed reactions from different party leaders. When the Congress welcomed him wholeheartedly, the CPI(M) did a volte face by saying that it could not even think of embracing a man like Mr. Varier. The BJP said it was not bothered by his desertion.

United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Rahul Mamkootathil said here on Saturday that the political desertions of Sandeep Varier and P. Sarin could never be compared. “Sandeep Varier left the BJP because of that party’s communal agenda. He had no electoral intentions. Dr. Sarin left the Congress only to become a candidate of the Left Democratic Front. The political desertions of both of them cannot be compared,” said Mr. Mamkootathil here.