Thiruvananthapuram, March 20 -- Kerala BJP President and candidate from Nemom seat, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, on Friday said that Congress leaders are quitting the party as "only proximity to the Gandhi family" matters there.

Speaking to reporters, Chandrasekhar welcomed young Congress leaders BS Anoop and Arun Raj into the BJP and said that the party is open for leaders interested in creating "Viksit Kerala."

He said, "It is not about seats. Young leaders are leaving Congress because merit no longer matters - only proximity to the Gandhi family. If you have to become anything in Congress, you have to carry their bags. Anoop and Arun Raj are young leaders. The BJP welcomes hard-working Malayalis who are interested in creating a Viksit Keral...