AK Antony: Rejects Son’s BJP Candidacy, Urges Support for Congress to Safeguard Indian Constitution

Veteran Congress leader and former Union Defence Minister AK Antony spoke out today about his son, Anil K Antony, who’s running for the BJP in the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat in Kerala. AK Antony firmly expressed that he doesn’t want his son to win the election. Breaking his silence after a while, AK Antony emphasized that his son should lose, and the Congress candidate, Anto Antony, should win with a clear majority.

AK Antony, 83 years old and a former Chief Minister of Kerala, stated that despite health issues, he felt compelled to address the media because he believes this election is crucial for upholding the idea of India and its constitution. He described it as a “do-or-die battle” and mentioned his long tenure as India’s Defence Minister.

Regarding his decision not to campaign for the Congress due to health reasons, AK Antony assured that Anto Antony would win regardless. He stressed that his family’s political choices are separate from his own, a principle he has upheld since his days in the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the Congress’s student organization in Kerala.

When repeatedly questioned about his son’s political alignment, AK Antony reaffirmed his allegiance to the Congress, stating that the party is his religion. In response, Anil Antony criticized the Congress, labeling its leaders as outdated, and expressed confidence in winning the Pathanamthitta seat himself.

AK Antony’s stance provides a significant boost to the Congress, especially amidst defections to the BJP in Kerala. Rumors circulated that Anil Antony’s move to the BJP had his family’s tacit approval, fueled by a video featuring his mother suggesting she anticipated his switch.

In a recent press conference, AK Antony criticized the BJP and the Left Front government in Kerala, urging people to support the Congress to safeguard the Indian Constitution. He predicted a decline in BJP’s fortunes in Kerala, dismissing their past electoral successes as influenced by specific controversies.

He also criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Communist Party, accusing them of disregarding the Constitution’s significance. He attributed the Constitution’s creation primarily to the Indian National Congress and Dr. Ambedkar, challenging Vijayan’s right to criticize while calling for its protection.

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