KOCHI: In a hurriedly-organized function, the

on Friday welcomed 14 people, including the aunt and uncle of Congress leader Shashi

, into its fold.

Tharoor’s maternal aunt

and husband Sasikumar—while leaving the venue—said they have been ideologically inclined towards the BJP for years, and loudly wondered why they were now inducted as party members. Shobana said the media should ask the organizers why such a function was held. Several BJP leaders, who were in the same hotel where the event was held, were unaware of such a function.

Later in the evening, Tharoor termed the BJP mood “desperate.” He said Sobhana and Sasikumar have been BJP members for a long time now.

He said his relatives followed various political ideologies. An uncle had even successfully contested the panchayat polls as a CPM candidate. “I see this event as nothing more than a travesty of his (Pillai’s) making,” he said. Saran Sasikumar, Sobhana and Sasikumar’s son, currently campaigning for Tharoor in

, said his parents were invited for a meeting.

“My parents were unaware of such an event and it is a pity that the BJP is organizing such events,” he said.