Tom Vadakkan, a long-time associate of the Congress’ first family, and an old media hand in the grand old party, today joined the BJP.
The switch left the Congress in a shock considering Vadakkan, who hails from Kerala, had been handpicked by late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to be part of a four member media team, the first dedicated media department of AICC.
The department had four people - Tom Vadakkan, Archana Dalmia, Geeta Gopal and Barkha Singh.
While all three women in the first AICC media cell moved on into other departments Tom Vadakkan stayed on handling media until Ajay Makan was made AICC media department in charge about four years ago and then Randeep Surjewala took on the mantle.
Tom was at that time removed as AICC Secretary, media, a role he handled for over a decade. He was designated a Congress spokesman and felt progressively sidelined.
The immediate trigger for the switch seems Tom’s keenness to contest Lok Sabha polls from Kerala.
He is learnt to have been promised a BJP ticket.