Party-hopper Khushbu says TN Cong disrespects women

“All these years the party used me to mobilise crowd and today they are suppressing me a with a mediocre actor statement. The fact is that there is no respect for women in the Congress party. The Congress workers in the state have grievances and no one addresses the issues raised by the functionaries. Whereas, the Tamil Nadu BJP leadership is reaching out to cadres and prominent personalities asking them to strengthen the party,” Khushbu told reporters on Tuesday.

The actor-politician who was given a warm reception at Kamalayam, BJP headquarters here said that she was not eyeing an assembly seat in the upcoming polls. “I have just joined the TN BJP unit and 

commenting on whether I will contest in the upcoming Assembly elections is too early. There are several seniors in TN BJP unit and they should decide on the subject. I leave the topic for the party top brass to decide,” Khusbhu said.

The yesteryear Kollywood star said that she was loyal to the Congress and I will stay loyal to the party she now belongs. “I would strive hard to make lotus blossom in Tamil Nadu,” she said. Khusbhu also 

thanked party president L Murugan for initiating the merger into the saffron party. According to BJP sources, Khusbhu is likely to be given a prominent state-level post and will be key campaign speaker for the upcoming Assembly polls.

“Change is inevitable, but my policies will not change. I will continue to be a Periyarist and will fight for the rights of women,” Khushbu told reporters when asked to comment on how a Periyar follower can adapt in an RSS ideology-driven BJP.

“I will follow the footsteps of Periyar fighting for the rights of women and Dalits. Periyar opposed Congress and I joined Congress, but this question was not raised then, now the media has a problem with my following Periyar. I have certain reservations against Periyar, but I will follow Periyar when it comes to equality and Dalit issues. BJP believes in women and Dalit empowerment, Khushbu said.

When asked about her views on the actor Rajinikanth’s political entry, Khusbhu said: “I am not the PR person for the actor.”