Thiruvananthapuram: Asian Games medal winner Padmini Thomas will leave Congress and join BJP. Along with her, DCC General Secretary Udayakumar and 18 party workers will join the saffron party in a function here on Wednesday. 

Thomas is the former state president of the Sports Council. Meanwhile, it is indicated that Congress workers from the Vattiyoorkavu locale will also join the saffron party. 

Last day, BJP state president K Surendran had declared that some Congress leaders will join BJP on Wednesday. The Congress leadership in the state was taken aback by the sudden announcement, especially since they were still dealing with the shock of Padmaja Venugopal's departure from the party. In the meantime, the BJP is making efforts to entice more Congress workers into joining their ranks before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state.