Elections 2019: Displeased Congress leader quits party, joins Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Disgruntled former Congress national spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence ‘Matoshree’.

Mr Thackeray said that his party would give her a post well-suited to her capabilities while Ms Chaturvedi said that she would work for women and Mumbai. Meanwhile, the Congress hinted that the move was not spontaneous as “it’s not easy for even Shiv Sainiks to meet Mr Thackeray”.

Ms Chaturvedi, who was miffed at the reinstatement of some party workers who had allegedly misbehaved with her during a press conference in Mathura a few days ago, resigned from the party on Friday.

Hours after quitting the Congress, she joined the Shiv Sena.

Mr Thackeray while speaking to media said, “Parties keep fighting elections. However, only fighting and winning is not life. The work of party workers should be to accept an ideology and work towards the cause.”

Asked what post Ms Chaturvedi would be given, Mr Thackeray said, “I will give her a post befitting her capabilities and one in which she wo-uld be beneficial for the Sena.” Ms Chaturvedi sa-id she would work tow-ar-ds strengthening the Sena not only in the state but also across the country. “I am thankful to Uddhavji for giving me respect and welcoming me into the party,” she said.

Declining to comment in detail on the matter, Congress state spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “My good wishes are with her. But I want to say one thing. Her decision was not something that happened overnight. It is not easy to meet Mr Thackeray in a day’s time. Even his party workers can tell you how it is
difficult to meet Mr Thackeray.”