AAP’s Priyanka Kakkar joins Congress, says she ‘could no longer defend the indefensible’

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar joined the Congress on Saturday, saying she could no longer “defend the indefensible” and praising Rahul Gandhi’s “authentic” leadership.

Ms. Kakkar joined the party along with former Uttar Pradesh MLA Shyam Sunder Sharma and former journalist Rajat Rakesh Tandon.

The induction ceremony at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office on Akbar Road was attended by senior Congress leaders, including general secretary Naseer Hussain, Congress Working Committee members Rajiv Shukla and Pawan Khera and Delhi Congress chief Devendra Yadav.

Explaining her decision to leave the AAP, Ms. Kakkar said the party had once attracted people of “great substance and intelligence”, but had since changed. “There was a time when it was said that our leaders would not accept a bungalow or a car. But later, choppers were being used for private travel; I could no longer defend the indefensible,” she said.

She also questioned the elevation of people without organisational experience to senior positions, saying she had “drawn a line” over the party’s recent decisions. “New people who have not even worked at the booth level are being brought in from Rajasthan and given senior positions in Punjab, along with bungalows and cars. How long can I defend the indefensible?” she asked.

Ms. Kakkar said she believed the Congress was the only party that could make Delhi “progressive and safe”. “If there is one leader who is authentic and is not afraid to promote his ideas, it is Rahul Gandhi. He is the only leader today who does not shed tears for the cameras. He is resilient,”she said, referring to Mr. Gandhi.

She also backed the Leader of the Opposition’s campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the concern over electoral rolls needed to be taken to the people. “I saw a soul in this party (Congress), which I found missing in other parties. And I say this from lived experience,” she said.

Welcoming the new entrants, Mr. Hussain said, “From Ladakh to Kanyakumari, people are placing their trust in the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and joining the Congress.”

Mr. Shukla said the inductions could have a “significant impact” on the politics of Uttar Pradesh and the country. Assembly elections are due in the State next year.