Padmaja Venugopal distributes BJP membership at Murali Mandiram; 'Degrading political act', says K Muralidharan

THRISSUR: Former Chief Minister and Congress leader K. Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal distributed BJP membership at Murali Mandiram in Poonkunnam, Karunakaran's home. The event took place near the Smriti Mandapam of K. Karunakaran and his wife Kalyanikutty Amma.

Thirty people, including Thrissur Constituency Youth Congress Vice President Manu Pallath and Ayyanthol Block Congress Vice President Radhakrishnan, joined the BJP. BJP state and district leaders also participated. Padmaja Venugopal's brother, UDF candidate from Thrissur, K. Muralidharan, criticized her actions, calling them a degrading political act.

Padmaja Venugopal expressed confidence that Suresh Gopi would defeat K. Muralidharan in Thrissur. She noted that women voters were particularly enthusiastic about Suresh Gopi's candidacy, predicting a shift from Congress to BJP after the elections. Padmaja also suggested that those who have caused her harm are now influencing Muralidharan.

In response, K. Muralidharan stated that he would not relinquish his parents' resting place to the BJP, referring to them as "Sangis." He emphasized that now is not the time to discuss family matters and vowed to eliminate communal forces from Thrissur in honor of his mother's memory. Muralidharan also mentioned that some people associated with Padmaja have joined the BJP.

Regarding ownership of Murali Mandiram, Muralidharan clarified that he did not insist on it, stating that he has sufficient assets to sustain himself. He acknowledged the support provided by the party.