Former Delhi Congress Cheif Arvinder Singh Lovely made headlines on Saturday as he crossed party lines to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing dissatisfaction with the Congress's decision to forge an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Lovely's departure from his leadership role within the Delhi Congress last week sparked speculation, with his subsequent move to the BJP highlighting deep-rooted divisions within the Capital's political landscape.
In his resignation letter, Lovely expressed discontent over the Congress's selection of Kanhaiya Kumar and Udit Raj as candidates, labelling them as outsiders to the Delhi Congress.
However, he clarified that his resignation was not driven by personal grievances regarding ticket allocation.
His formal induction into the BJP ranks on Saturday marked a significant turn in his political trajectory.
Speaking on his decision, Lovely articulated a commitment to serve both the nation and Delhi, aligning himself with the BJP's vision for the region's future.
"We have got an opportunity to serve the country and Delhi at a time when we were lost," Lovely remarked, highlighting his resolve to address the challenges plaguing the national capital.
Explaining his transition, Lovely underscored the support of his followers and Congress colleagues, who urged him to join a robust political entity to champion the cause of Delhi's residents.
However, his departure dealt a blow to the Delhi Congress, signalling internal turmoil within the party amid a critical juncture in the city's political narrative.
Denying rumours of discontent over ticket distribution, Lovely reaffirmed his resignation as solely pertaining to his position as Delhi Congress chief, distancing himself from speculation regarding his political affiliation.
In a scathing resignation letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lovely condemned the party's decision to ally with the AAP, citing concerns over corruption allegations levied against Congress members by the latter. Despite his objections, Lovely acknowledged the party's final verdict, albeit with reservations.
"The Delhi Congress unit was against an alliance with a party which was formed on the sole basis of levelling false, fabricated and mala fide corruption charges against the Congress party ... half of the cabinet ministers (of the party) are presently in jail on corruption charges," Lovely said in his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
"Despite that, the party (Congress) made a decision to ally with the AAP in Delhi. We respected the party's final decision ... I even went to the extent of visiting Mr (Arvind) Kejriwal's residence on the night of his arrest along with Mr Subash Chopra and Mr Sandeep Dikshit, despite the same being against my position on the matter," he said.
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