Kottayam: The BJP central leadership is reportedly upset with P C George, who had recently merged his Kerala Janapaksham (Secular) with the saffron party, over his public expression of discontent for not considering him for the Lok Sabha seat in Pathanamthitta.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, BJP candidate Anil Antony is set to meet George personally on Monday. Antony, acting on directions from the party’s central leadership, hold talks with George at the latter’s residence after coordinating with BJP district leaders in Kottayam.
Thushar Vellappally, president of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) which is part of the NDA alliance, had reported George’s public criticisms to the central leadership. Moreover, the party elders have sought an explanation from the state leadership on the discontent that has been brewing within the BJP ranks in Pathanamthitta since the announcement of Antony’s candidacy.
A district-level BJP leader also criticised the leadership for its choice. Shyam Thattiyil, the district president of Karshaka Morcha was expelled for his harsh criticism of Antony.
George had slammed Thushar Vellappally and Vellappaly Nateshan for shunning him in Pathanamthitta. “Anil Antony faces the challenge of gaining acceptance in a constituency where his father, Congressman and former Kerala chief minister A K Antony, has no influence, further magnifying the difficulties,” he had said.