The decision of Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister late K Karunakaran, to join the BJP has sent ripples through Kerala's political landscape, stirring controversy and discussions ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Padmaja officially embraced the saffron party at a function held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday, leaving her former party, the Congress, in a state of disarray.
The move has been met with strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran condemned Padmaja's decision, labeling it as "cheating and betraying" the party, and emphasizing that it was a breach of confidence.
Emotionally reacting to his sister's decision, senior Congress MP K Muraleedharan denounced the move as a betrayal of their father's legacy, particularly in the context of the impending Lok Sabha polls.
In contrast, the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala seized upon the development, suggesting that it might erode trust in the Congress, as there would be no guarantee that its members would not join the BJP after winning.
CPI(M) State Secretary M V Govindan commented on the recent trend of Congress members defecting to the BJP, indicating a potential ideological alignment between the two parties, particularly in light of the soft Hindutva stance adopted by the Congress.
BJP State President K Surendran welcomed Padmaja's decision, citing it as evidence of the increasing popularity of the saffron party in Kerala and a sign of the Congress's diminishing influence.
The development has sparked debates about loyalty, ideology, and political opportunism in Kerala's political circles. Muraleedharan emphasized his commitment to fighting against communalism, stating that he would push the BJP to the third spot in every constituency.
Overall, Padmaja's decision to join the BJP has injected new dynamics into Kerala's political landscape, setting the stage for an intriguing battle in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
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