Padmaja Venugopal, the daughter of the late Congress stalwart and former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, marking her departure from the Congress after resigning from its primary membership.
In her remarks following her induction into the BJP, Padmaja expressed her dissatisfaction with the leadership within the Congress, citing a lack of responsiveness from the party's high command despite her repeated grievances. Drawing parallels with her father's similar discontent, Padmaja emphasized her desire for a more conducive working environment, prompting her decision to switch allegiances.
Notably, Padmaja had recently removed a Facebook post where she had previously dismissed rumors about her potential defection to the BJP.
On the other hand, Padmaja's brother, K Muraleedharan, a serving Congress MP, denounced her decision as an act of betrayal. He expressed his disappointment, particularly highlighting their family's historical commitment to secular values and their father's staunch opposition to communalism.
Despite Padmaja's defection, Muraleedharan remained resolute in his commitment to the Congress's electoral prospects, asserting that the BJP stood to gain little from her move. He vowed to continue the party's fight, aiming to relegate the BJP to third place in various constituencies, notwithstanding their electoral aspirations.
Addressing criticisms that Padmaja's electoral defeats were due to internal party sabotage, Muraleedharan defended his own electoral record, stressing the importance of respecting the electorate's decisions in democratic processes.
Reflecting on his own political journey and the challenges faced, Muraleedharan reiterated his adherence to secular principles, reaffirming his dedication to the Congress despite any personal grievances or political setbacks.
