Metroman E Sreedharan's decision to join the BJP has given a boost to the saffron's hopes to make huge electoral inroads in Kerala, one of the toughest political terrains for the party, in the Assembly polls likely to be held in April. But the two major players in the state politics--ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF--seem to be not too much bothered about the 88-year-old technocrat's decision to join the BJP in the politically volatile southern state dominated by the two alliances.

Describing Sreedharan as "a great person", senior CPI (M) leader and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he was eligible to handle any position. "He is a great person. A well-known technocrat. A person honoured by the country with Padma Shri. He is eligible to handle any position. Let everything happen as per his wishes," Vijayan told reporters. The BJP in Kerala hopes Sreedharan's entry will boost the party's vote share especially by winning the support of the middle class.