New Delhi: Priyanka Chaturvedi resigned from the Congress late Thursday, a day after she slammed the party for reinstating ‘goons’ who had allegedly misbehaved with her, party functionaries said.
I am absolutely overwhelmed and grateful with the love and support I have got across board from the nation in the past 3 days.
I consider myself blessed with this immense outpouring of support. Thank you to all who have been a part of this journey. pic.twitter.com/WhUYYlwHLj— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) April 19, 2019
Chaturvedi, who was a Congress spokesperson, was upset with the party over the episode and finally decided to quit after her concerns went unheard by the senior leadership, said a party spokesperson who didn’t wish to be named.
On Wednesday, Chaturverdi posted a tweet saying she was “deeply saddened” that “lumpen goons” get preference in Congress over those “who have given their sweat&blood”.
Deeply saddened that lumpen goons get prefence in @incindia over those who have given their sweat&blood. Having faced brickbats&abuse across board for the party but yet those who threatened me within the party getting away with not even a rap on their knuckles is unfortunate. https://t.co/CrVo1NAvz2
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) April 17, 2019
Soon after posting the tweet, Chaturvedi edited her Twitter bio to remove her designation as a Congress spokesperson. She also quit the communication groups of the party on messaging service WhatsApp.
Sources said Chaturvedi was also upset with the party for overlooking her Lok Sabha ticket aspirations.
“There are rumours that she’s in touch with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A number of party leaders were trying to get in touch with her but her phone was off,” said another Congress leader on condition of anonymity.
It’s unclear at the moment if her resignation has been accepted by the party leadership.
Also read: Congress’ Priyanka Chaturvedi hits out at party for taking back goons who ‘threatened’ her
Reason behind the outburst
According to a party notice, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) reinstated a few people who had been suspended from the party following a complaint from Chaturvedi.
The notice said the party had decided to give relief to the leaders at the intervention of the party’s general secretary in-charge of western UP, Jyotiraditya Scindia.
While not much is known about the actual incident, a senior Congress leader told ThePrint that it occurred six months ago, when Chaturvedi had gone to Mathura to address a press conference. The men who threatened her were allegedly close to Mahesh Pathak, now the Congress candidate for Mathura.
“In Mathura, a Congress leader got insecure thinking she would be given a ticket from there since she is from Mathura… So he sent his men to not allow her to address the press conference,” the leader said.
“He thought she was a threat to him. But since these people are close to the candidate, they got reinstated on election eve.”
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