‘Anybody with little self-respect will not stay in the Congress’

Former Congress minister Arvinder Singh Lovely, who recently joined the BJP, says PM Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of a clean and hardworking politics
‘Anybody with little self-respect will not stay in the Congress’

Former Congress minister Arvinder Singh Lovely, who recently joined the BJP, tells Kumar Vikram that PM Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of a clean and hardworking politics in the country. Excerpts:

Why did you leave the party?
Since last two years I was feeling that the Congress was not on the right track. The Congress I joined was for the downtrodden. But this Congress is not listening to its own people. No senior leader was consulted for the MCD polls. Nobody was invited for even the manifesto release. And the day I decided to leave
the party our PCC president gave an interview saying that the allegations that Dr A K Walia and Mangat Ram Singhal made were very common. On the other hand, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have changed the definition of politics. If not listening to its own leaders is normal for the party, then I refuse to be part of it.

Did the Congress leadership let you down?
It’s not just me, every true Congressman, anybody who has an iota of self-respect will not stay in this party.

Who will you blame for the decline of the party?
All people who are controlling the states and Centre.

What will be your role in the BJP?
Joining BJP was not an overnight decision. With Modi becoming the PM, foundation has been laid for a clean and hardworking politics, which is missing in the Congress. In BJP, I will accept any role that the senior leadership decides.

What’s your role in the MCD polls?
I am going where ever the state BJP is sending me. I have already addressed many rallies.

How will you shed your Congress image of 32 years?
I will continue with my image of an honest and hardworking politician. For me self respect is the key and I can’t compromise on that.

Who are India’s and Delhi’s worst politicians and the best?
Modi is the best politician and Arvind Kejriwal is one of the worst.

Why are Congress leaders leaving the party?
The issue is not that you are in power or not. Why will people stay in a party that is not ready to listen to people, meet people and is not ready for struggle?

Did the UP election results impact your decision?
Not really. But, the Uttar Pradesh election results have definitely shown the way.

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