Congress veteran AK Antony's son contesting for BJP in Kerala – Here's what happened

PoliCharcha | Updated: April 09, 2024, 3:00 PM

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Congress veteran AK Antony's son contesting for BJP in Kerala – Here's what happened

On Tuesday, Congress stalwart AK Antony made headlines by stating that his son, Anil K Antony, running as a BJP candidate for the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, should not win the upcoming election.

Speaking at a press conference, Antony expressed his desire for his son's party to lose, favouring the victory of the Congress candidate, Anto Antony, in the south Kerala constituency.

Antony confidently asserted, "He (Anil K Antony) will lose the poll. Anto will emerge victorious. I am not going to Pathanamthitta for the UDF candidate because I have health issues and it’s not possible to travel that far."

Addressing the trend of Congress leaders' children joining the BJP, Antony criticised such actions as "wrong," reaffirming his allegiance to the Congress, which he described as his "religion."

In a parallel narrative, Anil K Antony responded to queries from the media, expressing regret for his father's stance and campaign support for Anto Antony.

Anil pointedly mentioned his father's past role as India's former defence minister, juxtaposing it with Anto Antony's controversial comment regarding the Pulwama attack and Pakistan, implying that Anto's stance could lead to his defeat in the election.

“He (AK Antony) was the former defence minister of India, and he had supported a person who had tried to give clean chit to Pakistan. Anto Antony will lose the election,” said Anil.

The Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency has garnered attention due to its historical significance, housing the Sabarimala temple, a focal point of religious and gender-rights debates. The Supreme Court's decision in 2018 allowing women's entry into the temple sparked tensions between traditionalists and reformists, a contentious issue that continues to influence local politics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign visit to Pathanamthitta on 15 March, where he endorsed Anil K Antony, added further intensity to the electoral dynamics in the region.

As the Lok Sabha elections approach on 26 April in Kerala, with results expected on 4 June, the contest in Pathanamthitta remains a focal point, reflecting the complex intersection of politics, religion, and social issues in the state.

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