Rita Bahuguna a betrayer, Amit Shah amassing army of traitors: Congress

New Delhi: Putting up a brave face, Congress on Thursday dubbed Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who joined BJP, as a "betrayer", alleging that she has a family history of switching sides, and insisted that Amit Shah would not be able to gain anything in UP by amassing an "army of traitors".

Congress' UP unit chief Raj Babbar also dismissed her criticism of Rahul Gandhi, saying leaders like her who pursued "selfish politics" were afraid that the Congress Vice President was bringing democracy in the party and asserted that Bahuguna's exit will have no bearing on Congress and its prospects in the poll-bound state.

"Rita Bahuguna Joshi has exhibited betrayal as the party leadership had entrusted full faith in her. Joshi has been a teacher of history and probably that's why she is repeating her family history of switching sides.”

"This is the fourth or fifth such change in her family. Her quitting would make no difference to the Congress party's prospects in Uttar Pradesh, just as her brother joining BJP made no difference in Uttarakhand," he told reporters.

Launching an attack on BJP, he said the party is showing that it has no faith left in its own leaders. "In its quest for victory in UP polls, BJP is amassing an army of traitors from other parties. It seems the BJP, which has 71 MPs in the poll-bound state, does not have faith in its own leaders and that is why it is importing party leaders from outside," he said.

Reacting to Joshi's exit, party general secretary and incharge of party affairs in UP Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Opportunist leaders do not stick to one place. The real thing was that she is unlikely to win from her seat as the contest was tough."

Asked about Joshi's attack on Rahul Gandhi's leadership qualities, Babbar said all such leaders who acted as "satraps" were feeling insecure as the "kingdoms" of various "Godfathers" were being demolished by the Congress Vice President.

"People who are doing politics for their selfish interest and gains are feeling insecure in Congress as Rahul Gandhi is doing such politics which is harming the interests of such 'satraps'. Rahul Gandhi is fighting for democracy within the party," he said.

To a question on whether there is any need for introspection within the Congress in the wake of some leaders quitting the party in recent past, Babbar said, "introspection has started within the party. That is why 'satraps' are falling apart and leaving the party."

Azad said it is unfortunate that the daughter of a leader who fought communal forces has joined hands with a "communal party".

"She is an opportunist leader. She was in Samajwadi party earlier, then she was in Congress and now in BJP. It is unfortunate that the daughter of a leader who fought communal forces all his life has joined a communal party," he said.

On her accusations against the party leadership, Azad said, "One who quits the party abuses party leaders. The real reason for her leaving is that she was unable to find a safe seat as it was difficult to win."

Attacking Joshi, Babbar said she was entrusted with the responsibility of the party in the state, but it was unfortunate that she still betrayed it. He added that her father was Congress Chief Minister and so was her brother.

"As far as Rita Bahuguna Joshi is concerned, she has betrayed the party. She was made party president twice. She probably is not hesitating to repeat her family history. I am pained by this. We and our leadership was told that she is sick and our leadership was sensitive to her condition," he said.

The UP Congress chief said BJP will see that in the next election, which party she would contest from keeping in view her family history.

To a question on Joshi attacking Rahul over his "khoon ki dalali" remark, Babbar said, "We should not insult a martyr's wife. Martyr Bablu Singh's wife had said that political leaders are merely paying lip service to her. Our leader Rahul Gandhi only repeated what Bablu Singh's wife had said.

"Our leader tried to put forth her views before the public. It is unfortunate that Rahul's feeling on the surgical strike were grossly misunderstood. Nobody could actually understand the sensitivity of his statement," he said.

Babbar also showered praises on the party vice-president, saying he practises "lokniti" and not "raajniti" and all those who have become "godfathers" in politics are getting hurt by such kind of politics.

Training his guns on BJP, he said ever since this government has come to power, Amit Shah is moving across the country to make all "betrayers" join the party.

"BJP has only one programme of amassing an army of traitors. It has succeeded in doing so, be it in North East, North or South. This heavyweight party president of BJP is making full use of his influence," he said.

Joshi is the daughter of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, who was the first in her family to walk out of Congress. Her brother Vijay Bahuguna, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, had turned dissident and quit the party after being removed from the post.