The son of a former Maoist ideologue on Wednesday joined the Congress party after meeting party president Rahul Gandhi, as reported by Hindustan Times. The Maoist ideologue and balladeer popularly named “Gaddar” is reported to have shunned his former ways of “inspiring” youths to join the Maoist movement, in favour of embracing spirituality.
This transformation of “Gaddar” supposedly came as a shock to Maoist sympathisers who while conceding the former’s lack of activity in Maoist circles, asserted that the balladeer was still a hardcore follower of Maoism and Marxism.
The 42 year old son of Gaddar named GV Surya Kiran though was welcomed into the Congress after a meeting with party president in New Delhi. Besides Kiran, two Telangana BJP leaders including former minister Nagam Janardhan Reddy too joined the Congress. The other leader Adi Srinivas rejoined the Congress following his defection to the BJP.
As per Kiran, he was interested in politics and found the Congress under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership the most suitable for “youth leaders” like him. When quizzed over the possibly of his father campaigning for him, he claimed that it was his father’s decision to make. As quoted by a Deccan Chronicle report, Kiran clarified that he wasn’t part of any Maoist groups.
If indeed it happens, “Gaddar” campaigning for the Congress might be a bit ironic considering he fought the Congress for decades while being part of the People’s War Group (PWG), the precursor to the Congress party, as reported in Mumbai Mirror.
When quizzed about his father’s view over his decision to the join the Congress, Kiran claimed that he was okay with it. He also pointed out that his father had joined the parliamentary process in 2017 by registering as a voter for the first time.
Such inductees within the Congress party seem to be part of the party’s preparation for the 2019, when Telangana too goes for polls. This has resulted in claims that Kiran desires a ticket from either Bellampally or Jukkal assembly constituencies.
This might cause a bit of trouble within the party as Congress MLA DK Aruna from Telangana has been quoted as saying in another context that tickets should only be given to those who have put in at least five years of party work.
