Antony wary of BJP but not of Kiran Bedi

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 18 (IANS) Senior Congress leader A.K. Antony has said that he is not wary of former IPS officer Kiran Bedi joining the politics, rather apprehensive of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Bedi has always been in Delhi and nothing much needs to be seen in her entry into electoral politics. But as far as the BJP is concerned, yes, they will be taken seriously," he told IANS.

Antony, 74, who has been the longest serving defence minister (for over seven years) in the Congress-led UPA government, Saturday participated in the state Congress party leaders' meet.

Antony, three-time chief minister of Kerala whose term as Rajya Sabha member ends early next year, has made it clear that he will have no role in the state politics.

As the Congress Working Committee member, Antony also heads the party's disciplinary committee.

However, having already expressed his displeasure over the statements of party colleague Sashi Tharoor (who praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi), he told IANS that being a chairman of the disciplinary committee it's not right for him to make any more comments on it.

Over the years, Antony has been a star campaigner for his party. His presence at the leaders' meet here Saturday appears to have warmed up the party members ahead of the upcoming local bodies elections likely in September.