Her brother and the Congress MP from Vadakara, K Muraleedharan, told reporters that Padmaja had blocked his phone number, and added that her leaving the Congress will not affect the party.
In response to the reports about her potential move to the BJP, Padmaja Venugopal initially clarified via Facebook that it was merely a joke. She later removed the post. (Facebook)
Speculation is rife about Padmaja Venugopal, the daughter of late Congress stalwart and former Kerala chief minister K Karunakaran, joining the BJP.
The speculation gained traction on Wednesday, 6 March, after Padmaja, a senior Congress leader, deleted a Facebook post dismissing reports suggesting her switching sides.
Initially, in response to the reports circulating about her potential move to the BJP, Padmaja clarified via Facebook that it was merely a joke.
However, she later removed the post, intensifying the speculation about her actual intentions regarding joining the saffron party.
Padmaja, a KPCC general secretary, has been keeping a distance from the Congress, apparently miffed over preventing her from boarding Priyanka Gandhi’s vehicle during a roadshow held as part of the party’s campaign in the 2021 Assembly election.
Additionally, she has been disappointed with the delay in completing a memorial for Karunakaran.
Meanwhile, the Malayala Manorama reported that Padmaja had told her close friends that she would be joining the BJP since the Congress has been constantly ignoring her.
She would be holding talks with the BJP’s national leaders in Delhi.
Her brother and the Congress MP from Vadakara K Muraleedharan expressed ignorance over the development. Reports said he could not contact her over the phone.
He reportedly told reporters that Padmaja had blocked his phone number, and added that her leaving the Congress would not affect the party.
Incidentally, Anil Antony, son of former defence minister and veteran Congress leader joined the BJP on 6 April 2023. The party has fielded him as its candidate in the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency.
(With PTI inputs)
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