Ahead of MCD polls, former Delhi Cong chief joins BJP
What's the story
In a surprise move, former Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the BJP ahead of the municipal elections. Lovely said he was "pained and angry" at how the Congress treated him, and "could not tolerate more humiliation." He added that the "Congress is disintegrating" in Delhi. He lauded the BJP for working "tirelessly day and night to deliver honest governance."
Information
Several Congress leaders join Lovely
Following Lovely's exit, several senior leaders including Kondli MLA Amrish Gautam and Amit Malik, who was the president of Delhi Youth Congress, and around 200 workers also joined BJP.
BJP
BJP welcomes move, derides Congress
BJP sources said that the mass walk-out from the Delhi Congress contradicts the party's claim that it was regaining lost ground. The BJP added that several other senior Congress members are engaged in talks to quit the party and join the BJP. The BJP expressed hope that the move would strengthen their base in Delhi.
MCD polls
Will this dent Congress's MCD poll play?
On 23 April, elections to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will take place. For the BJP, which has dominated the MCD, it will seek to retain that momentum. The AAP will need a win to remain politically relevant in the capital. However, the Congress failed to win anything in the last 2 elections in Delhi. The loss of cadre will dent the party's confidence.