Anil K. Antony, the son of veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister A.K. Antony, recently quit the Congress and joined the BJP. He believes that more and more young people will join the BJP as it is the only political party pursuing a nationalistic cause. Anil Antony is an MS degree holder from Stanford University and has received training from MIT in Artificial Intelligence. He had been looking after the new media of the Congress party and was in charge of its IT cell.
When asked about his reasons for shifting to the BJP, Anil Antony explained that his father had been a senior leader of the Congress for 65 years, and his mother and brother also owed allegiance to the Congress. However, he felt that there had been many changes in the Congress recently, and it was no longer the party of the past. He believes that the BJP is the only political party in India with a nationalistic approach that works tirelessly for the future of the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team are taking the country forward in a big way, and progress can be seen in all areas.
Anil Antony acknowledged that there had been criticism in Kerala, his home state, against his joining the BJP, with both Congress and CPI-M being in the forefront of raising criticism against him. However, he believes that criticism is expected in a country where there is freedom of speech, and it should be within limits. He also noted that he had received brickbats from the Congress even when he was part of that party. As a young leader and son of a highly respected leader like A.K. Antony, he has not been promised any party or governmental positions for joining the BJP.
Anil Antony’s impulse to join the BJP was driven by his desire to work in a conducive environment where he could put his thoughts towards the progress of the nation. As a technical person himself, he believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is involving much in developing the nation through technocracy, and he wants to be part of that ecosystem.
Anil Antony refuted the misconception that the BJP and its ideological mentor, RSS, are against minorities. He pointed out that in the North Eastern states where the minority Christian community is a majority, the BJP or the NDA allies are in power, and immense development is being witnessed in these states. He believes that a deliberate campaign is being unleashed to malign the BJP and its foreword growth.
When asked about his younger brother Ajith Antony’s solidarity with the Congress party, Anil Antony acknowledged that they are brothers who love and respect each other. However, his political forays are purely based on his conviction, and he has taken the decision to join the BJP after much thought. He believes that the present Congress is not the Congress of old times and is purely working for a few individuals.
Anil Antony believes that minority leaders like K.J. Alphons and Tom Vadakkan, who are both Christians from Kerala, have been given major responsibilities by the party at the national level. He refuted reports that they are sidelined and pointed out that they are both actively involved in organizational matters.
Anil Antony will be participating in the ‘YUVAM’ leadership conclave in Kochi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address a huge gathering of youths. He feels honored to be part of such an elite gathering and believes that India is a young country with the median age of the country being 27. The Prime Minister is taking up all schemes and programs for the youth of the country.
When asked if he would be a candidate of the BJP for the 2024 loksabha elections from Alappuzha or any constituency in Kerala, Anil Antony explained that he had joined the BJP only to work with a political party with a nationalistic outlook. It is up to the party to decide what he should do, and his only aim is to work for the party in the national reconstruction process. He has expertise in certain areas like IT and foreign relations and will work according to the party directive.
