Delhi MLA Alka Lamba quits Aam Aadmi Party, joins Congress

Three days after rebel Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Alka Lamba met interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi, she officially resigned from the primary membership of party and joined the Congress.

Lamba, who represents Chandni Chowk in the Delhi Assembly, announced her resignation from AAP, and her decision to join the Congress, in a series of tweets on Friday.

“The time has come to say “Good Bye” to #AAP and to resign from the primary membership of the Party. The past 6years journey was a great learning for me. Thanks to all. (sic)” Lamba said.

On Friday, via a video message, Lamba requested AAP’s national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to accept her resignation.

WATCH | Days after meeting Sonia Gandhi, Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba quits AAP

“...As per your (Kejriwal’s) wishes, your party spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj had messaged me saying that you will accept my resignation from AAP’s primary membership even on Twitter. Since you are not meeting me, and I have been trying to seek an appointment with you for a long time now. Probably you do not have time. I am resigning via a video message and I request you to accept it,” Lamba said.

“I may have been far from Congress but I have stood by its ideology for the past 25 years. Today is my ‘Ghar-Wapsi’, I thank Sonia and Rahul Gandhiji, and assure them that I will work like a dedicated worker to strengthen the party in Delhi and the country,” Lamba told ANI.

Despite repeated calls and messages, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj was not available for a comment.

Lamba joined the Congress at Sonia Gandhi’s residence at 10, Janpath, on Friday evening. The speculation of her joining the party became stronger after Lamba’s meeting with Gandhi at her residence on Tuesday.

“It is good to be back. I had started my political career from the Congress and they accepted me with the same love and support,” said Lamba after joining the Congress.

Over the past two months, Lamba has been talking about her decision to quit AAP and contesting the upcoming assembly elections as an independent candidate. She expressed her inclination to join the Congress in March this year. Lamba had said she would join the Congress if the party “takes her back”.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) Delhi in-charge PC Chacko had also said the party would welcome her back, and had hinted at the talks happening between Lamba and the senior Congress leadership.

“We welcome Alka ji to the Congress party. Her experience and our common vision will help us work better for the people of Delhi,” Chacko said on Friday.