In a surprise move, former UPA Minister Krishna Tirath on Monday joined the BJP, leaving the Congress red-faced.
A Dalit leader, Ms. Tirath had been with the Congress since 1984 and served in the Delhi and Central governments .
She is the third prominent Delhi leader to join the BJP in the last four days after Kiran Bedi and Shazia Ilmi (formerly with the Aam Aadmi Party).
Caught unawares, Congress leader Ajay Maken accused the ruling party of “importing leaders in desperation” ahead of the February 7 polls.
Reports of Ms. Tirath meeting BJP chief Amit Shah ahead of formally joining the party reached the AICC headquarters when Mr. Maken was releasing a booklet criticising the Aam Aadmi Party.
Joining the party in the presence of party prabhari for Delhi, Prabhat Jha, national secretary R.N. Singh, North-West MP Udit Raj and Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay, Ms. Tirath said she identified with the BJP’s idea of a Congress-mukta Bharat (Congress-free India) and would dedicate herself to the upliftment of women, children and youth.
“It is a question of ideology. I met BJP President Amit Shah to serve the people.... I have come with this aim. My role will be towards public service,” she said without revealing if she or any of her family member would contest elections.
It is reported that Ms. Tirath was upset at the Congress denying a ticket to her family member from Patel Nagar in the Assembly polls.
