Congress leader and former MLA from Badarpur Ram Singh Netaji and Vinay Kumar Mishra, son of senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) Mahabal Mishra, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Kejriwal said "There used to be only two major political parties in Delhi, the BJP and the Congress. People were fed up with the politics of both these parties because they did not deliver on promises made and having no other choice, voted them alternatively.
But then five years ago, the people of Delhi initiated a new phase of self determination in politics and set an example for the rest of India when a fledgling party, comprising common people, offered hope and managed to win 67 out of the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly, almost reducing existing political powers, to a naught, Kejriwal said. He said leap of faith has turned out to be the best decision that Delhi ever made.
"Whether it is a supporter of the BJP, the Congress or any other party, AAP has gained a place for itself in every heart because of its sincerity and good intention. AAP has managed to touch and transform their lives with the work it has done and this time they will vote for AAP, irrespective of personal party affiliation," he said.
The Chief Minister said "I am happy that all these leaders are joining us to work together to create a better future for Delhi. I am sure that the day is not far when all two Crore people of Delhi will join AAP".
Deputy Chief Minster Manish Sisodia said, "Many prominent political leaders are joining AAP because they have witnessed the commitment, integrity and innovation of Kejriwal and his team and their focus on delivering a more dignified life to the citizens of Delhi," he said.
"The AAP has done spectacular work and transformed the manner in which education; healthcare, water, transport; electricity and sanitation are delivered to taxpayers in the city. These leaders will strengthen the party and will help to spread the good work of the AAP," he said.
Netaji said he was impressed by the work done by the AAP government and "that is the reason I decided to leave Congress". "I want to be a part of a system that delivers true and tangible welfare for the people of Delhi that is the reason I joined the party," he said. He won from the Badarpur Assembly constituency twice -- once as a BSP candidate and second time as an Independent.
Mishra, who unsuccessfully contested from the Palam Assembly seat said, "I have seen people from UP, Bihar and other states struggling to get medical treatment, education and other facilities in Delhi but situation got improved after AAP came to power," he added.
Councillor and social worker Jai Bhagwan Upkar ji from Rohini ward of Bawana Assembly and Naveen Dipu Chaudhary, a social activist working in the Gandhinagar area who has been associated with the Congress for a long time, too joined the AAP.
Election to the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held on February 8.
