Kottayam: Five Christian priests in Kottayam joined the BJP after police arrested Bishop Franco Mulakal in the nun case. At a private ceremony in Kottayam, party state president PS Sreedharan Pillai provided membership to the priests.

Sreedharan Pillai had earlier said that some prominent people - politicians to actors - from the LDF and the UDF would join BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. Sreedharan Pillai reiterated the same announcement in Kottayam. This is an indication of the changing politics of Kerala, he said.

Fr J Mathew Manavattu Manarakkad, Fr Gevarghese Kezhakedathu Manarkad Deekan, Andrews Mangalath Idukki Deekan, Jitin Kuriakose Mylakadu Manakkadu and Fr Thomas Kulathungal are the members who chose the lotus. These priests said they set foot into the BJP because they are impressed with the party's views and activities.