Suresh Gopi's victory reflects public rejection of Congress' politics of hatred: Padmaja Venugopal

Kochi: BJP Leader Padmaja Venugopal attributed Suresh Gopi's win in Thrissur to public response against Congress' politics of hatred.

During a press conference here on Wednesday, Padmaja Venugopal praised Suresh Gopi's victory, stating that it reflects the people's rejection of the Congress' politics of hatred. She also commended Gopi's character, describing him as a good-hearted individual, and attributed his success to his resilience over the past decade in forgiving jokes and trolls. 

Padmaja also responded to Muraleedharan's heavy defeat in Thrissur. She responded that she still loves Muraleedharan and understands his state of mind after coming to his own hometown and suffering a heavy defeat.

“Now I feel that the decision I took was not wrong. Yesterday, many people called me for a response. But I wanted to give my answer right here at Murali Mandiram. I left this house with a heavy heart facing a lot of abuse and went to another party. Therefore, I wanted to return and speak from this very place. What I heard about BJP is not what I experienced when I became part of it. It is not the BJP that is spreading communalism around here. You saw how many votes the Congress party got. It was the Congress who played the politics of hatred,” criticised Padmaja.

“It is true that the Congress has got 230 seats nationwide. Of that, around 10-30 seats belong to Mamata. Mamata is not even part of the INDIA Bloc and she will join only if she wishes to come to the INDIA Bloc government. How, then, can the INDIA Bloc form a cabinet with 200 people? I warned my brother about it. I was sure that there would be no change in my stance. My father used to tell me that if I can understand Thrissur politics, then I can become a good politician anywhere in the world. The people here are very smart and Suresh Gopi has connections beyond politics. Keralites will welcome good politicians with both hands. I will not blame everyone in Congress. There are good people in it, but they lack power. The power rests in the hands of a selected few. As long as it is, there is no hope for Congress. I have no desire to help them escape. My father was very forgiving, which I am not. I am from Thrissur. The people of Thrissur say what they have to say to your face, but they are also very good at heart. Hence, Suresh Gopi could win here. More lotuses will bloom again," said Padmaja.

“Thrissur is a place that is very close to my heart. I have had bitter experiences over the last four to five years. Even so, the memories with my father and mother are here. I have not spoken to my brother. I have not invited him to the BJP. He is an intelligent and informed person. There is no need to say anything to Muraliyettan. He knows everything. Karunakaran raised both of them as intelligent and conscious children.”

"I still love my brother. Politically, we belong to two different parties, but I have not blamed my brother However, he will forget all about it later. He must have felt tremendous pain. He came to his native place and was defeated. At least it should have been an honourable defeat. But what a defeat this was," she added.

"The votes that the BJP received in Thrissur are for Suresh Gopi and Modi. I have known Suresh Gopi for a long time. He is an innocent man. His policy is that politics means doing good to the people. People didn't recognise his goodness at first, but now they have. That's why they’ve voted," she said.