Padmaja Venugopal to join BJP; ‘father’s soul won’t forgive her’, says brother

Padmaja Venugopal, the daughter of late Congress stalwart and former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran, is set to join the BJP after feeling “backstabbed” by Congress leaders in the state.

Padmaja will be joining the saffron party at the BJP office in Delhi at 5pm on Thursday, she told a Malayalam TV channel from the national capital.

Grievance against Congress

She accused Congress leaders of “backstabbing” her in the elections. “The Congress (unfairness) pushed me into joining the BJP,” Padmaja told the channel, adding that she was joining the BJP “unconditionally”.

Speculation had been rife about Padmaja’s jump to the BJP, which gained traction on Wednesday after she deleted a Facebook post dismissing reports suggesting her switching sides. Initially, she had claimed in the post that it was merely a joke.

Brother miffed

Reacting to the speculation, her brother K Muraleedharan said earlier their father’s soul would “never forgive her”.

“I sever all ties with my sister,” said Muraleedharan. “I cannot have any relationship with someone who embraces communal politics. She would finish behind NOTA if she contested as a BJP candidate,” he fumed.

He further said her decision has nothing to do with their “father’s memorial or the party acknowledging her”. “She got ample consideration from the party and I do not know what she is up to now. She is not talking to me, did not return the calls yesterday, and it seems she has blocked my number,” he added.

Husband’s support

Reacting to his comments, Padmaja said she could not fathom why her brother would “give up” on her. “When Muraleedharan left the Congress, he was still my brother,” she pointed out.

Padmaja’s husband Dr Venugopal said she had his support even though he did not “interfere in politics”. “What’s wrong in joining the BJP? It’s a legitimate political party with a strong and respectable leadership,” he argued.

“As of now, no offer is on the table. She is just joining the party,” said the Kochi-based senior paediatrician.