New Delhi, March 29: Padmaja Venugopal, the BJP candidate from the Thrissur assembly seat in Kerala, has launched a sharp attack on the Congress party. She accused the party of internal sabotage, weak leadership, and growing disconnection from the public.
In an interview, she discussed her departure from Congress, her political journey, and the rising influence of the BJP in Kerala. She also made serious allegations regarding the internal workings and leadership crisis within Congress.
Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of former Congress leader and late Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, joined the BJP in March 2024. Here are the key excerpts from the interview.
Question: What prompted you to leave Congress?
Answer: In reality, no one knows about these issues. I have endured a lot within the party. I do not wish to name anyone, but there is one person who was responsible for my failures during elections. I had told them not to be given any position because it caused me great distress. Later, they claimed they would make me the general secretary, but that did not happen. I was the vice president of KPCC, and I felt they would not support me. I did not want to remain in the party any longer. My father also endured a lot in Congress for many years, and I did not want to go through that phase.
Question: How do you view the BJP’s prospects in Thrissur?
Answer: Especially in Thrissur, people really like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His program today will definitely have an impact. The people are very happy.
Question: Why do you think K.C. Venugopal targeted you? Was it a political conspiracy?
Answer: There are some supporters of his here. None of them are good. Everyone has different connections. You can imagine what kind of supporters they would have.
Question: There have been allegations that Congress is selling tickets. What is your opinion on this?
Answer: People in Kerala are saying the same thing. It is happening here, not just in North India.
Question: Is Rahul Gandhi influenced by a particular faction of leaders?
Answer: Where are the leaders in Congress now? They have all left. Senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal have exited the party. There are no leaders left, only K.C. Venugopal remains.
Question: Is Rahul Gandhi mature enough to lead the party?
Answer: I believe he cannot lead the Congress party. That is why he relies on K.C. Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge. He is a good person, but he cannot do much. Sonia Gandhi was fine, but Rahul Gandhi is not.
Question: Does your father support PM Narendra Modi’s leadership?
Answer: I think so, because my father also suffered a lot. Initially, he was not given opportunities. Until Rajiv Gandhi’s time, we were all happy. Sonia Gandhi was also fine, but when Rahul Gandhi came, he only listens to himself.
Question: What are the BJP’s plans in Kerala?
Answer: This will definitely affect the LDF, as people are now fed up. This time, the benefit will not go to Congress but to BJP. The BJP’s support base is growing everywhere here, and in the near future, it will form a full government.
Question: There are allegations that Congress is helping establish an Islamic regime in Kerala. What are your thoughts on this?
Answer: It is true; they are helping. If UDF comes to power, such people will rule Kerala.
Question: Is there internal conflict in Congress regarding the chief ministerial position in Kerala?
Answer: Yes, there is a lot of it, with many contenders. Everyone is saying different things. But I think if they get a chance, K.C. Venugopal will come here from Delhi. People are still fighting among themselves. In such a situation, how will people vote for them?
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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