NEW DELHI: Reports said major offers including Governor’s post are before Padmaja Venugopal, who is all set to join the BJP after leaving the congress party. The central leadership directly intervened and held talks with her with the knowledge of Modi. Reports said Padmaja received major offers during these talks held. The BJP's state leadership came to know about it only at the last minute. Padmaja visited Delhi many times to meet leaders including J P Nadda. However, took utmost care not to leak any information about this.

The BJP’s assessment is that a daughter of someone like K Karunakaran, a Congress stalwart, coming to the party when the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner will benefit them. So, she was brought to the camp giving huge offers. However, Padmaja said that she is joining the BJP without any conditions. Unconfirmed reports said the BJP has also directed Padmaja to contest from Chalakudy constituency in addition to the post of governor. Padmaja will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon. More clarity will be obtained after this.

Though there were reports that Padmaja is leaving the Congress, she confirmed about it only Thursday morning. Padmaja's response was that the Congress forced her to join the BJP. It is heard that Padmaja refused Congress’ last-ditch conciliatory move. Many including her brother K Muraleedharan criticised her after it was confirmed that she would leave the party.