New Delhi: A day after joining the BJP, former Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely today hit out at his one-time mentor and former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, dubbing her as a "burden" on the Congress.
Mr Lovely joined the BJP, along with Delhi Youth Congress president Amit Malik, in the presence of the party's national president Amit Shah yesterday.
Ms Dikshit had termed the development as "betrayal" by Lovely.
Mr Lovely said that he chose to be a "traitor" by joining the BJP which fights for the cause of soldiers, instead of being a burden on the Congress like Ms Dikshit.
"Sheila is completely dissociated from the Congress campaign for MCD polls and has turned out to be a burden, while I chose to join the BJP that has been holding soldiers' interests high," Mr Lovely said at a press conference.
He also hit out at Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken, alleging that he loved "comfort" over hard work.
"Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari spends nights in slums, whereas Maken campaigns in Lodhi Garden so that he could quickly go back home. He should give a thought to what he is doing," he said.
Led by Mr Lovely, 10 Congress leaders including party vice president Sukhbeer Sharma joined the BJP.
Mr Lovely rubbished chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's comment that he is an "opportunist", and said he joined the BJP because of his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
"The BJP is giving a new direction to the country and evolving a new definition of politics under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," he said.
There are many in the Congress who also believe this and are considering joining the BJP, he said.
"Amit Malik and I showed the courage. Let us see when do others follow suit," Mr Lovely added.
Several senior Congress leaders are "disgusted" with the selection of candidates for the civic polls, Mr Lovely said and alleged that tickets were "sold" to the aspirants.
He also appreciated the BJP's decision to field fresh faces in the election.
The BJP will win the April 23 MCD polls with a "huge" majority, he said.
Mr Lovely joined the BJP, along with Delhi Youth Congress president Amit Malik, in the presence of the party's national president Amit Shah yesterday.
Ms Dikshit had termed the development as "betrayal" by Lovely.
"Sheila is completely dissociated from the Congress campaign for MCD polls and has turned out to be a burden, while I chose to join the BJP that has been holding soldiers' interests high," Mr Lovely said at a press conference.
Advertisement
"Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari spends nights in slums, whereas Maken campaigns in Lodhi Garden so that he could quickly go back home. He should give a thought to what he is doing," he said.
Advertisement
Mr Lovely rubbished chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's comment that he is an "opportunist", and said he joined the BJP because of his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
Advertisement
There are many in the Congress who also believe this and are considering joining the BJP, he said.
Advertisement
Several senior Congress leaders are "disgusted" with the selection of candidates for the civic polls, Mr Lovely said and alleged that tickets were "sold" to the aspirants.
Advertisement
The BJP will win the April 23 MCD polls with a "huge" majority, he said.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
How Long Are We Going To Be Dependent On DMK: Tamil Nadu Congress Chief "Those Who Can't Take Care Of Own People...": Arvinder Lovely Jabs Congress Arvinder Lovely, Who Quit As Delhi Congress Chief Twice, Rejoins BJP The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Crippled Windows Users Worldwide 500 Para Commandos To Hunt Pakistani Terrorists In Jammu After Attacks Over 300 Indian Students Return As Quota Row Sparks Violence In Bangladesh Movie Tickets, OTT Subscriptions To Get Costlier As Karnataka Plans 2% Cess Delhi Lt Governor vs AAP Over Arvind Kejriwal's Blood Sugar Levels Study Abroad: Top 10 Management Universities In United States Of America Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.