People helped by my father tormented me the most, won’t return, will campaign against Murali if demands

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Padmaja Venugopal said that no one from the congress had helped her and the situation was that she had to beg to get things done. Padmaja, who reached the capital city after joining the BJP, lashed at the congress in an interview given to a private channel. She said that she had burst into tears in front of KPCC president and that she was tormented by people helped by her father and that there is no return.

She said, ‘I decided to leave the Congress three years ago. Some thieves are playing in the name of K C Venugopal. He won't even know about it. I called him several times, but he didn't pick up the phone. Many wanted me to leave the party. The party activists themselves defeated me in Thrissur. Asked an amount of Rs 50 for Priyanka Gandhi's programme, gave Rs 22 lakhs. They accepted the money and didn’t even allow me to enter the election campaign vehicle. Congress did not do anything for the memorial of Karunakaran. Many more will leave the party. No consideration is given to women. The leaders scoff at women. Central leaders of the BJP approached me. Just demanded freedom of functioning from the party. No posts were demanded. No seat offers were given. Will campaign against Muraleedharan if the party demands. The dissatisfaction of the BJP state leaders is quite natural.’

Padmaja joined the BJP yesterday. A rousing welcome was accorded to her when she reached the capital city today. Party state chief K Surendran, Union Minister V Muraleedharan received her. She was given a reception at the BJP state committee office.