Interview: BJP prospects strong in Kerala; confident of Lok Sabha debut, says Cong turncoat Anil Antony

Anil Antony joined the BJP last year, even as his father was reportedly disappointed over his political switch

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), looking to make inroads in southern states as part of its strategy to win 370 Lok Sabha seats, has named Anil Antony, the son of Congress veteran AK Antony, as its candidate from Kerala's Pathanamthitta parliamentary seat. In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, the junior Antony said he is confident of making his Lok Sabha debut. He claimed that the political sentiment of Kerala, where the BJP has struggled to open its account in previous elections, is turning in favour of the Centre-ruling party.

Edited excerpts from the conversation:

The BJP has never had electoral success in Kerala. Will there be any change in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls?

In the last ten years, the BJP has been rapidly expanding its footprint. A few years back, in many states of the northeastern region, West Bengal, and Telangana, the BJP had single-digit seats. However, politics has changed, and our party has better prospects everywhere. In Kerala, our vote-share in 2009 was around four percent, but in the last polls, we reached 13 percent. So far, 12 candidates have been announced, and everyone has better chances to win. The dominance of other parties is history now.

You quit Congress and joined the BJP in 2023. Were you expecting a poll ticket from the party?

When I joined the party, I made it very clear that I am not here for titles or seats. I became part of the BJP because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a developed country. I am honoured and very humble that party leadership has entrusted me with this kind of responsibility and is taking the party forward in Kerala.

Now you will be contesting the polls from Pathanamthitta. What are your immediate challenges in the constituency?

We are growing in Kerala, and I am aware that both Congress and the Left will be working together to defeat the BJP because they are on the same side. But it is also a fact that both political outfits have been anti-people for ages, and they will be rejected. I am very confident that I am the best candidate in the constituency despite the opposition’s efforts. The Congress may field three-time MP Anto Antony, and the Left has already announced Thomas Issac. People need a voice who can represent them in Parliament and deliver Prime Minister Modi’s promises.

Have you had any previous connection with the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency?

I have traveled across the state in multiple elections when I was part of the Congress. I have campaigned in the assembly constituencies of Pathanamthitta as well. I know people across the political and social spectrum. There are multiple reasons on the ground that are in my favour, and I am confident of registering victory.

INDIA alliance is believed to have more dominance in southern states. Do you agree?

All of this is a narrative created by the opposition, which is irrelevant everywhere, including South. The BJP believes in the ideology of ‘one nation’ and doesn’t differentiate between South or North. Look at Himachal; the Congress won’t be sure how long its government will survive in the hill state. We are the largest party, and in the South as well, BJP has high stakes.

After you joined the Congress, your opponents say you have sided with the “anti-minority” party. How do you respond?

Again, this is a narrative that has been rejected by the people every time. Look at the northeastern states and many others; BJP has received thumping support. Minorities are actually the majority. Almost in every state, we are in government or in government with an ally, and we have seen this kind of projection has been rejected by the people.

When you left Congress, your father wasn’t happy with your decision. How has the journey been so far?

My father has retired from parliamentary politics, and he has his own life. I would say politics is politics, and family is family.