In the run-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, political figures are leaping from one party to another. In a remarkable move, Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of senior Congress member and former Chief Minister of Kerala K. Karunakaran, has embraced the BJP in Delhi. She was inducted as a primary member by BJP senior leader Prakash Javadekar. It is said that she had been dissatisfied with the Congress leadership for some time and there were speculations that she might leave the party.
After joining BJP, Padmaja Venugopal stated, "Joining BJP has filled me with joy. I've not been this content with my party (Congress) for years. I raised concerns with the high command, but to no avail. I even tried meeting with the party leaders, but they did not spare any time for me. My father faced similar treatment from them. He too was upset with the party. At that moment, I made my decision.
She continued, "I want to work peacefully. While I respect Sonia Gandhi, she could not make time to meet with me. After being neglected, I took this decision."
K. Karunakaran, four-time CM of Kerala
Padmaja's father K. Karunakaran has served as Kerala's chief minister four times and has been a union minister. A seasoned leader, his supporters often referred to him as 'Chanakya.' His son, K Muraleedharan, is a Congress MP. There's buzz that BJP might field Padmaja in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
BJP tickets Antony's son
In April 2023, BJP inducted Anil Antony, son of Kerala's heavyweight leader and former Defence Minister AK Antony. Antony, a two-time Kerala CM, is also a member of the Congress Working Committee and a prominent confidant of Sonia Gandhi. He has played a critical role in forming Congress governments in Kerala multiple times. With Anil Antony's departure from Congress, the party is perceived to have received a significant blow. BJP has announced Anil Antony as a candidate for the Pathanamthitta constituency, currently held by the Congress.
