Lok Sabha Elections: Congress shrugs off Tom Vadakkan’s defection

THRISSUR:

Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan

, who joined the BJP on Thursday, has limited political roots in his home district, Thrissur.


Vadakkan, who hails from the family of

father Joseph Vadakkan

, an activist priest, has been living outside the state for a long period and built his associations with the Congress leadership in New Delhi.

On several occasions he had evinced interest to stand in Parliament elections from Thrissur but was rebuffed by the Congress due to fierce resistance from the party’s local unit.

Congress leaders from the district claim Vadakkan’s defection will not have an impact on the party as he hardly mingled with local party members. However, they concede his move will give an edge to BJP’s campaign. The party leaders are also worried about Vadakkan’s links with some prominent priests belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.

Perhaps, the timing of the defection has come as an embarrassment to them as he took the decision the same day Congress president Rahul Gandhi made a visit to the district. Though district BJP leaders are visibly pleased with the development they are also not sure whether he will be given a ticket to contest the elections from Thrissur. Already, confusion prevails among party leaders about the selection of a candidate for the Thrissur seat. It is not yet clear whether the seat will be retained by the BJP or whether it will be allocated to its ally BDJS. Reports that Vadakkan may contest from Thrissur or Chalakkudy have aggravated the confusion. However, the dominant view among BJP district unit members is that the party is unlikely to field him in this election.

Vadakkan, who joined the BJP in the presence of law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, had said in New Delhi that he was deeply hurt and it was because of that he was there in the BJP.

Vadakkan’s lengthy association with Sonia Gandhi and his role as an “insider” at 10 Janpath make his switch significant. A frequent presence on TV, where he has defended Congress in evening debates, Vadakkan is a prime catch for BJP that has persistently attacked its rival for promoting dynastic politics.