New Delhi: Anil Antony, son of Congress veteran and former defence minister A K Antony, joined the BJP on Thursday. Anil took the party membership from Union Minister Piyush Goyal. He joined the saffron party at its headquarters in the presence of Union Minister of State from Kerala V Muraleedharan and party state president K Surendran.

Anil, who quit his posts in Congress in January, said he wants to work in BJP to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of nation-building and national integrity. 

Welcoming Anil to the party in Malayalam, Muraleedharan said the decision by Antony’s son was the biggest pointer to the fact that those who valued national interests beyond political divisions were ready to accept the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muraleedharan also stressed that the induction of Anil, a practising Christian, into the BJP was a reply to the propaganda that the party was against non-Hindus. 

Goyal was all praise for Anil’s academic credentials. “His significant contributions in the fields of business, social work, and politics make him truly an outstanding political and social warrior who cares for Kerala and is concerned about the future of Kerala and India,” Goyal said. 

The BJP leader hailed Anil as someone who 'believes in India first.' “Congress did not like his strong objection to the BBC documentary which sought to inflame tempers and raise completely unfounded and baseless allegations against PM Modi – which was termed by Anil as an assault on India’s sovereignty and integrity. Despite his significant contributions in the field of social media, Anil was truly insulted by the behaviour meted out to him for standing up for India and the national interest. Therefore, he had to leave the Congress. I compliment him for his boldness and his strength and courage of conviction,” Goyal said. 

Goyal exuded confidence that Anil would contribute significantly to the growth of BJP in Kerala and south India. 

Starting his speech in Hindi, Anil said the Congress was currently working for just one family while he wanted to work for the nation. “The prime minister has a very clear vision to place India in a prominent position in an emerging multi-polar world. In times like this, the central government and BJP, led by the PM, Amit Shah and Nadda, are working tirelessly to take this vision and all people-friendly policies to every nook and corner of this country. As a young Indian, I do think that it’s my duty and responsibility to contribute towards the PM’s vision of nation-building and national integration,” Anil said.

He met the question about his father's stand on his decision, with an expected reply. “My father, mother and brother make up my family. We are four different people. My father is the person whom I love and respect the most. But there is no question of politics in the family,” he said.

Anil had quit Congress in January following a difference of opinion with the party on the BBC documentary about the Gujarat communal riots of 2002. In a tweet, Anil challenged the Congress stance that the documentary exposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the incident.

Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat in 2002. Ever since he severed his ties with Congress Anil has been a vocal critic of the party and party its leadership.

Anil was evidently provoked by the comments made by Congress supporters against him. 

A series of tweets he posted recently sent out a clear message that he has been cozying up to the saffron party. In a veiled, yet harsh, attack on Rahul Gandhi in the wake of his conviction in a criminal defamation case and the subsequent disqualification from parliament, Anil had said that the Congress was focusing on the 'bloopers of one individual' instead of real issues affecting the country.

He had also come out against Youth Congress national president B V Srinivas' alleged anti-women remarks targeting BJP leader and Union minister Smriti Irani. He was also critical of the Congress for, in his words, "vehemently demonising freedom fighter Savarkar". 

Anil, who identifies himself as a tech entrepreneur and policy commentator, made a surprise entry into politics in 2019 when he was made the Congress' digital media cell convener in Kerala. 

A K Antony, who has not yet reacted to Anil's comments following his resignation, will meet the media at Congress headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram in the evening.