Antony’s son appointed BJP spokesperson

NEW DELHI: In two important organisational changes, BJP on Tuesday appointed Manjinder Singh Sirsa as national secretary and Anil Antony, son of senior Congress leader A K Antony, as national spokesperson. Party president J P Nadda said that the two appointments would come into force with immediate effect.

Sirsa, a former member of the Delhi legislative assembly, had joined BJP after quitting Shiromani Akali Dal in December 2021, few months ahead of the Punjab polls in 2022. Sirsa joining the party fold was then seen as a shot in the arm for BJP with him being a prominent face of Akali Dal in Delhi. He was also a strong supporter of the farmers’ protests against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws, which were later withdrawn.

Although AK Antony is a senior Congress leader, his son Anil Antony has been a vocal in endorsing BJP and PM Narendra Modi and his role is seen as significant for the party, which continues to struggle to gain a foothold in Kerala, the home state of the Antonys.