New Delhi: Anil Antony, son of senior Congress leader A.K. Antony, joined the BJP in presence of Union ministers Piyush Goyal and V. Muraleedharan in the national capital on Thursday.

Anil Antony, after joining the BJP, said: “Many of the Congress leaders believe that their duty is to work for a particular family but I believe that my duty is to work for the people. PM Narendra Modi has a clear vision to make India a developed country in the next 25 years.”

“This is not about personalities, this is about difference of opinion and ideas. I strongly believe that I have taken the right step. My respect for my father will remain the same,” he said when asked if he has consulted his father before joining the BJP.

Anil Antony had resigned from the Congress after his tweet criticising the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Modi triggered a row within the grand old party.

Anil Antony, who headed the Digital Media cell of the Kerala Congress, slammed the Congress leadership for working for a “single family” instead of working for the country.

Emotionally charged Antony says son’s decision wrong

An emotionally charged veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony on Thursday said his son Anil Antony’s decision to join the BJP has pained him and was a wrong decision.

Antony, who returned to the state capital soon after his Rajya Sabha tenure ended last year, was addressing a press conference the state party headquarters here.

“For me, till my last breath I will be fighting the BJP and the RSS. I have been close to the Nehru family, even though at one point of time I had to split with them, once I returned after a while, my love and respect towards the Nehru family has been steadfast and increased hugely,” said A.K. Antony, holding back his emotions.

“My life is entering the last stages as I am 82 years now and I have no idea how long I will live. I am not interested in a long life, but till my last breath I will be a Congressman. What I said about Anil’s decision now is my first and last statement and will not speak about it again,” he said.

Former Leader of Opposition and senior party legislator Ramesh Chennithala said the decision of a son to chalk his way forward was his own and it will never be a blot on Antony.

“Anil joining the BJP will not have any impact at all,” he said.