Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Poonam Jha Azad, wife of suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad, joined the Congress on Tuesday, terming it a ‘homecoming’.
Ms. Azad, who had joined the AAP in November 2016, had been a member of the BJP earlier and even contested the Delhi Assembly elections on its ticket.
‘Homecoming’
Speaking at a press conference, Ms. Azad said that the Congress was like a “home, like a mother” to her as she had been brought up in a family of Congress supporters and married into one as well.
Her father-in-law, Bhagwat Jha Azad, had been the Congress’ Chief Minister in Bihar.
“I have returned to the party that fought for India’s independence. I did not have any personal problems in the AAP. But, there was a lack of organisation. I did not suit their politics. I want to work with the Congress and strengthen it,” she said, adding that she would work for Purvanchalis.
When asked whether her husband, the cricketer-turned-politician, would follow suit, she said: “Anything can happen”.
Mr. Azad had been suspended by the BJP in 2015 after he made allegations of corruption in the Delhi and District Cricket Association, which was headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley till 2013.
Welcoming Ms. Azad into the party, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken said he had fond memories of Mr. Azad from 1993, when they were both elected to the first Delhi Assembly.
Purvanchali vote
With elections to the municipal corporations of Delhi on April 23, Ms. Azad joining the Congress could help boost the party’s prospects with Purvanchali voters.
Mr. Maken said that the party had worked for people from Purvanchal and Uttranchal and would continue to raise their issues.
He announced that about 90 top leaders of the Congress would be campaigning for the party.