See no future for Congress, not becoming a member of BJP: Anil Antony

Express News Service

NEW DELHI : Veteran Congress chief A Okay Antony’s son Anil Antony, who stop all occasion posts within the wake of the row over his tweets opposing the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots, says he has no plans to affix the BJP. In an interview, Anil says Rahul Gandhi is surrounded by illiberal folks, and he sees no future for Congress.

Your resignation from Congress got here at a time when the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is in its remaining stretch.
I’ve the very best regard for Rahul Gandhi and the best way he’s attempting to unite the nation by spreading the message of affection. Sadly, the folks round him are simply the other of what he stands for, they’re the epitome of hatred and intolerance. To be very sincere, I’ve no hope left.

Several BJP leaders got here out in your help. There is theory that you could be be part of the BJP…
They are all ridiculous rumours. At the identical time, I wish to reiterate the factors I raised — that partisan politics mustn’t overpower our nationwide curiosity and I’m towards bans. However, we needs to be cautious about international entities attempting to set some harmful precedents right here.

No intention of becoming a member of the BJP?
I’m not becoming a member of any political outfit for the time being. I will likely be persevering with with my skilled engagements.

Don’t you suppose your exit will damage the occasion?
I had no intention to harm the occasion. I began working for Congress in 2017. Since the start, I’ve confronted on-line assaults and cyberbullying from my occasion. Though I took it up with the state and central leaderships many occasions, nothing got here out of it. But what occurred within the 24 hours after my social media publish was shameful and discouraging.  It was disappointing that these assaults got here from a celebration that claims to face at no cost speech. I can say the assault was primarily from the Kerala unit. I really feel that I’m on the mistaken place on the mistaken time due to the mindset of sure folks.

Congress took a stand towards banning the documentary in India. So you went towards the occasion line.
I don’t suppose no matter I mentioned was towards the occasion line. I’ve mentioned that I disagree with BJP on many issues. However, I have to level out two issues. First, I’m very happy with the truth that we’re the world’s largest and oldest democracy. It can’t maintain until we’ve got freedom of speech and freedom of expression. I’m additionally towards bans in any type. My fundamental concern was that the individuals who made the documentary are the masterminds of the Iraq War, which resulted within the deaths and displacement of lakhs of individuals.

What is your view on the 2002 Gujarat riots?
What occurred in 2002 was a really darkish level in India’s historical past. The Congress and I are on the identical web page right here. However, we’ve got our Supreme Court and establishments and we shouldn’t let any international entity have the ultimate say. It will dilute our sovereignty.

Did you seek the advice of Tharoor or your father earlier than deciding to stop?
No, I didn’t.

ALSO READ | Anil Antony’s views on BBC documentary “immature,” says Tharoor

NEW DELHI : Veteran Congress chief A Okay Antony’s son Anil Antony, who stop all occasion posts within the wake of the row over his tweets opposing the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots, says he has no plans to affix the BJP. In an interview, Anil says Rahul Gandhi is surrounded by illiberal folks, and he sees no future for Congress.

Your resignation from Congress got here at a time when the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is in its remaining stretch.
I’ve the very best regard for Rahul Gandhi and the best way he’s attempting to unite the nation by spreading the message of affection. Sadly, the folks round him are simply the other of what he stands for, they’re the epitome of hatred and intolerance. To be very sincere, I’ve no hope left.

Several BJP leaders got here out in your help. There is theory that you could be be part of the BJP…
They are all ridiculous rumours. At the identical time, I wish to reiterate the factors I raised — that partisan politics mustn’t overpower our nationwide curiosity and I’m towards bans. However, we needs to be cautious about international entities attempting to set some harmful precedents right here.

No intention of becoming a member of the BJP?
I’m not becoming a member of any political outfit for the time being. I will likely be persevering with with my skilled engagements.

Don’t you suppose your exit will damage the occasion?
I had no intention to harm the occasion. I began working for Congress in 2017. Since the start, I’ve confronted on-line assaults and cyberbullying from my occasion. Though I took it up with the state and central leaderships many occasions, nothing got here out of it. But what occurred within the 24 hours after my social media publish was shameful and discouraging.  It was disappointing that these assaults got here from a celebration that claims to face at no cost speech. I can say the assault was primarily from the Kerala unit. I really feel that I’m on the mistaken place on the mistaken time due to the mindset of sure folks.

Congress took a stand towards banning the documentary in India. So you went towards the occasion line.
I don’t suppose no matter I mentioned was towards the occasion line. I’ve mentioned that I disagree with BJP on many issues. However, I have to level out two issues. First, I’m very happy with the truth that we’re the world’s largest and oldest democracy. It can’t maintain until we’ve got freedom of speech and freedom of expression. I’m additionally towards bans in any type. My fundamental concern was that the individuals who made the documentary are the masterminds of the Iraq War, which resulted within the deaths and displacement of lakhs of individuals.

What is your view on the 2002 Gujarat riots?
What occurred in 2002 was a really darkish level in India’s historical past. The Congress and I are on the identical web page right here. However, we’ve got our Supreme Court and establishments and we shouldn’t let any international entity have the ultimate say. It will dilute our sovereignty.

Did you seek the advice of Tharoor or your father earlier than deciding to stop?
No, I didn’t.

ALSO READ | Anil Antony’s views on BBC documentary “immature,” says Tharoor