Padmaja Venugopal Invites Shashi Tharoor to Join BJP
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Synopsis
On February 27, Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of K. Karunakaran, extended an invitation to Shashi Tharoor to join the BJP, criticizing his treatment in Congress. She expressed concerns about his future in the party and commented on his recent article praising Modi and Vijayan. Despite this, Tharoor has reiterated his intention to remain in Congress.
Key Takeaways
- Padmaja Venugopal invites Tharoor to join BJP.
- Tharoor has been sidelined in Congress.
- Padmaja left Congress for peace of mind.
- Tharoor's future in Congress looks uncertain.
- Speculation surrounds Tharoor's potential new role.
Kochi, Feb 27 (NationPress) Padmaja Venugopal, the daughter of the esteemed four-time Congress Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, expressed on Thursday that Shashi Tharoor is more than welcome to align himself with the BJP.
“There is no need to reach out to him, as he is well aware of his treatment within the Congress party. He is invited to join the BJP. I often saw him during our party meetings when he was with the Congress and would question him on his absence from several gatherings. He would reply that he didn’t receive invites and thus missed these meetings,” Padmaja stated.
“I have consistently perceived and observed how Tharoor was marginalized by the party. Everything I voiced upon leaving Congress has been echoed by Tharoor in recent days. His future within the Congress party appears bleak. My departure from Congress was not for any role or title, but rather for my peace of mind, which I currently possess. I doubt anything significant will emerge from the state Congress leaders' meeting in Delhi (which Tharoor is also invited to) called by the high command,” Padmaja added.
Recently, Tharoor has faced criticism from top state party leaders following his article in a prominent English daily that lauded PM Modi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Nevertheless, Shashi Tharoor has made it clear that he does not intend to join the BJP. He was summoned by Rahul Gandhi last week for a private discussion.
There are now rumors that Tharoor may be appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha.
Padmaja departed from the Congress after A.K. Antony's son, Anil Antony, joined the party. While Anil was nominated to contest for the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat, Padmaja did not receive a similar opportunity.
