He will be thrown out like used curry leaves: Ajith Antony on brother Anil joining BJP

Ajith Antony, younger brother of former Congress leader Anil Antony who joined the BJP, has said that his brother would be thrown out like “curry leaves” after being used by the saffron party.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Ajith Antony said his brother might have his own reasons for making the move.

"He probably would have gone, as he felt that it would be good for him. But, I will say again and again that they (BJP) will throw him out like curry leaves," Ajith was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Ajith Antony further said, "I thought he (Anil) would stay away from the (Congress) party out of anger, but I never ever thought that he would go to the BJP. The decision was a totally unexpected one."

Anil Antony ran the Congress's social media cell in Kerala before he left the party following the row over the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Opposing the documentary, Anil Antony had said that placing the views of the British broadcaster over Indian institutions would “undermine” the country’s sovereignty.

Brother Ajith said that Anil had not given the slightest hint to the family about his decision, and it was a shock to all of them to see the news flash on TV.

Their father, veteran Congress leader A K Antony, was devastated after seeing Anil join the BJP at their headquarters in New Delhi, said Ajith.

"Pappa (AK Antony) was seen sitting with the utmost pain in a corner of the house. I have never ever seen him so weak like this in my life. He did not shed tears, that's all," Ajith said.

Hours after Anil Antony joined the BJP, his father lamented his son's decision, saying “it was a wrong move”.

"The decision of Anil to join the BJP has really hurt me. It's a completely wrong move," A K Antony said.

Anil Antony's ‘defection’ to the BJP has sparked outrage in the Congress ranks, with his family lambasting the ‘impulsive’ choice.