A K Antony rose to the throne of the chief ministerial post in Kerala at the tender age of 36. The youngest one to ascend the CM seat in Kerala’s history. Adapting the indomitable spirit of Gandhi, Antony garnered many laurels and later in his sexagenarian times was made the defense minister of India. The legend of the leader speaks volumes in Kerala and is etched in the political history of the state.

“My life is my message” Gandhi once said. If there is any other politician in Congress who can parrot Gandhi’s words with authority, then it will be Antony. His ideals are cemented strong, his motives unfettered and his politics still conforms with what was purported by Nehru. Alas, Antony with a sunken face reached the press yesterday and spoke quiveringly. Many other Congress leaders took a jibe at the iconic leader for one decision of Antony’s son. Anil Antony, son of veteran Antony joined BJP from Congress. Betrayal proclaimed many leaders while many others made doggerel of the veteran leader.

Anil’s decision to join BJP has nothing to do with Antony’s politics. The former is 37 years old and a tech maven with proper cognizing capability. Anil in his press meeting revealed how his parents trained him to undertake decisions that always sit well with the interest of the country. Anil thus moving to BJP is no gargantuan issue. The regional congress leaders have already shown their vicious best in calling him ‘Judas’ and more such rabidity to make him pay for the decision. The irony reeks of hypocrisy because all such leaders now doing guttermouth at Anil once tried bridging the gap to join BJP but failed.

Mamata Banerjee once moved from congress to form regional gaint TMC in Bengal. It is only for her acute decision that she is now serving Bengal unrivaled for over 10 years time. Sharad Pawar formed NCP after splitting from Congress. The leader only amassed more popularity since his split in Maharashtra. Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal are also following suit with similar steps. Sashi Tharoor an erudite in the diplomatic domain is being subjected to petty politics inside the Congress dungeon. He is made to sit stagnant not allowed by the leadership to rise in rank. The fear that he may someday topple to the first family in Congress looms across all strands and cronies of the Gandhis.

Now, Anil's jump to BJP is made an opportunity to taint Antony’s legacy in politics and Congress. Meanwhile, BJP's belief of Anil being the face of Kerala Christians and ergo more inflow of minorities to BJP turf is an overstatement if not a pipedream. However, the Jamaat-e-Islami's covert meeting with BJP leaders remains alarming for many and is a prelude to what is in store for the impending 2024 Lok Sabha elections.