Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran, made headlines by joining the BJP on Friday.
Venugopal, who received a warm welcome from BJP leaders and workers upon her arrival at the airport, expressed her discontent with the Congress leadership, particularly its lack of a strong figure akin to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at a press conference, Padmaja lamented her departure from the Congress, citing a growing sense of disillusionment with the party's internal dynamics. She highlighted her grievances, including feeling neglected and insulted within the Congress ranks. Reflecting on her decision to join the BJP, she emphasized the need for a robust leader like Modi in every political party, a quality she found lacking in the Congress.
"Every party needs a strong leader. The Congress does not have any such strong leaders," Padmaja stated, pointing to her observations of Modi's leadership style.
The rift between Padmaja and the Congress leadership deepened due to her perception of being sidelined and unaddressed grievances. Recalling her recent visit to the Congress headquarters in Delhi, she expressed disappointment at the lack of accessibility to party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Padmaja's decision to switch parties was met with shock by the Congress, as she had kept her grievances largely private until her departure. However, she asserted that her move was a response to feeling marginalized and disregarded within Congress.
Regarding recent comments made about her parentage by Youth Congress state President Rahul Mamkootathil, Padmaja deemed them insulting and announced her intention to file a complaint. She also responded to criticisms from her brother, Congress MP K Muraleedharan, emphasizing the need to separate personal and political matters.
Padmaja's defection to the BJP has raised questions about the Congress's internal cohesion, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan questioning the stability of Congress leadership. Meanwhile, Muraleedharan labeled Padmaja's decision a betrayal, indicating a strained relationship between the siblings.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran characterized Padmaja's move as a breach of trust, further highlighting the challenges facing the Congress party amidst shifting political allegiances.