Congress Leader AK Antony's Son Anil Joins BJP Months After Quitting Party Over BBC Row

Anil Antony, the son of Congress veteran and former defence minister AK Antony, on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi in the presence of Union ministers Piyush Goyal and V Muraleedharan. Antony had earlier quit Congress on January 25, a day after facing criticism from the party for taking a jibe at BBC on its documentary against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing the media after joining the party, Anil said, “These days Congress workers work for one family. PM Modi has a clear vision to place India in a very prominent position in a multipolar world. As a young Indian, it is my responsibility and duty to contribute to PM Modi’s vision…I strongly believe that I have taken the right step. My respect for my father will remain the same.”

Anil also thanked PM Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and other party colleagues for giving him the opportunity.

Welcoming Antony in the BJP, Goyal described him as a “very grounded political worker”, who was convinced that the BJP cares for the country and shared PM Modi’s vision of sustainable growth.

Goyal said, “Anil termed the BBC documentary an attack on the sovereignty of the country. He stood up for India and for national pride. I complement him for his courage and conviction to stand for the country.”

During his resignation, in a Twitter post, Anil wrote: “I have resigned from my roles in @incindia @INCKerala. Intolerant calls to retract a tweet, by those fighting for free speech. I refused. @facebook wall of hate/abuses by ones supporting a trek to promote love! Hypocrisy thy name is! Life goes on.”

In the resignation letter Anil said: “Considering the events from yesterday, I believe it would be appropriate for me to leave all my roles in the Congress – as the Convener of KPCC Digital Media, and as the National Co-coordinator of AICC Social Media and Digital Communications Cell.”

‘I Am Deeply Pained by Anil’s Decision’

Reacting to his son’s decision to join BJP, AK Antony said he was deeply pained by the decision of Anil and declared his unconditional loyalty to the ‘Nehru family’.

Hours after Anil joined the BJP, an emotionally charged Antony termed as “wrong” Anil’s decision to join the BJP, and said he would continue to be a Congressman till his last breath.

“I am deeply pained by Anil’s decision to join the BJP. It was a wrong decision,” the former Kerala chief minister told reporters. The former Defence Minister said he would continue to raise his voice against the BJP and the RSS.

Apparently responding to Anil’s allegations against the ‘Nehru-Gandhi family, Antony said his loyalty would always lie with the Nehru family, which is still at the forefront of the “fearless fight to safeguard the basic ideals of India”.

Anil’s Support for PM Modi Over BBC Documentary

The BJP on Tuesday received support from unexpected quarters with senior Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony’s son Anil saying that placing the views of the British broadcaster over Indian institutions would “undermine” the country’s sovereignty.

Anil Antony had handled the digital communications of the grand old party’s Kerala unit till recently. His remarks come at a time when various wings of the state Congress have announced that the screening of the controversial documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots, when Modi was that state’s chief minister, will be done in the state.

In a tweet, Anil said despite large differences with the BJP, those who support and place the views of the British broadcaster and of former UK foreign secretary Jack Straw, the “brain behind the Iraq war,” (involving the US-led coalition in 2003) over Indian institutions are setting a dangerous precedence.

(with inputs from PTI)

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