Dissent brews in Cong ahead of MCD polls

Cracks appeared in the Delhi Congress on the last date of filing nomination for the April 23 municipal elections on Monday with senior leaders turning against the party over the selection of candidates.

Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said she was not consulted while former health minister Ashok Kumar Walia threatened to quit the party. Alleging ‘utter neglect’ of efficient party workers, ex-MLA Amrish Singh Gautam joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday.

Gautam, a three-time MLA from Kondli and Patparganj assembly seats, was also the deputy speaker of the Delhi Assembly during the Congress regime.

He said he was joining the BJP without any conditions as he was impressed with the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I had given my life to public service as a Congress worker but for last few years I have felt that the Congress is deviating from its agenda of service to all while the BJP has shown a new resolve to encourage nationalism and for empowerment of poor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment — Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas — policies have inspired me,” he said at a press conference at the state BJP’s headquarters on Pandit Pant Marg.

He found support in former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit who termed the ‘incidents’ as ‘regrettable’. Haroon Yusuf, a former minister in her regime, said he was also ‘hurt’ and he has similar feelings, which Walia had conveyed to the party high command.

Dikshit told HT that senior state leaders were ignored by the people at the helm when they chose candidates for the election.

“I don’t know anything about ticket distribution as I was not involved. In fact, I was not consulted at any point of time. It is regrettable that senior party leaders are leaving or planning to quit,” she said.

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