Thiruvananthapuram: Youth Congress state president Rahul Maamkootathil and Mahila Congress state president Jebi Mather criticized Padmaja Venugopal on her decision to join BJP. 

While Rahul Mamkootathil opined that it is a sad development as far as Congress is concerned, Jebi Mather described Padmaja’s decision to join the BJP as a classic betrayal. 

“Karunakaran had upheld the principle of secularism all along his life. BJP would not even win a single vote in the name of Padmaja. If she tries to cash in on the rich legacy of her father, she faces strong opposition from the Youth Congress workers,” said Mamkootathil.

“A position in the Rashtriya Karyasamiti is not easy to achieve as far as a Congress supporter is concerned. Padmaja was offered the position on a platter. It would have been better if she had joined CPM. But her choice to side with the BJP is wrong,” added the Youth Congress state president.

Meanwhile, Jebi Mather questioned Padmaja's claim that she faced discrimination inside the party. 

“I don’t understand what kind of discrimination Padmaja has ever faced in our party. She was given repeated chances despite failures. Padmaja was appointed to the topmost committee of the Kerala Congress. We hope she does not take advantage of her late father’s legacy. This is the deepest pain she could inflict on Karunakaran’s soul,” said Jebi Mather. 

Padmaja Venugopal is expected to join the BJP at an event at the party headquarters in Delhi this evening.