'Very painful for me': Congress veteran AK Antony on son Anil joining BJP

Speaking to reporters, Antony said his son's decision is "wrong" and "very painful" for him.

The ex-defence minister said that he would never support the ideology of BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which according to him makes attempts to divide the country and weaken the foundations of democracy.

Speaking to reporters, Antony said that he had always opposed the BJP and RSS for their "communal and divisive agenda" and would continue to do so "till his last breath".

He said that he was loyal to the Congress party and the Nehru-Gandhi family, which he credited for keeping India united and respecting its diversity.

He said that he had been inspired by Indira Gandhi, who had encouraged him to join politics, and that he had differed with her only once on a policy issue, but later returned to the party and respected her even more.

"I am at the last phase of my political career and do not know how long I will live. But as long as I do, I will live for the Congress," Antony said.

He also made it clear that he would not be available for any further comment on his son's move and requested the media to respect his privacy.

Anil Antony joined the BJP on Thursday after stepping down from all positions within the Congress in January, following a tweet in which he criticized the contentious BBC documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which caused a stir within the party.

Union ministers Piyush Goyal, V Muraleedharan and BJP's Kerala unit chief K Surendran accorded a warm welcome to the former Congress leader to their party at a formal event.