Cong disappointed over Modi critic Lovely joining BJP

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An extremely disappointed Congress on Tuesday said it is extremely strange that Arvinder Singh Lovely, who was one of the biggest critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has joined the saffron party, adding such people cannot be trusted upon.

"After achieving so much from the Congress if you cannot stick to one party then how can you be trustworthy for other party. I am sad because last night he took me with him for campaigning," said Congress leader Raj Babbar.

Babbar, however, admitted that this is Lovely's personal choice.

Another Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit expressed his surprise over Lovely's decision and said this makes it absolutely clear that there is mismanagement in party's Delhi unit headed by Ajay Maken.

"It is most disappointing especially in Lovely's case because I have known him for a while and he was one of the bitterest critics of the RSS, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sometimes I used to be surprised by his hatred for a communal party like the BJP. In fact if only Amit Shah knew that what he says about him in private discussions Amit Shah won't even stand in next to him. So I am very surprised by this step," Dikshit told ANI.

"You can be angry with the Congress but to go and join the BJP is disappointing. On the other hand, it is also very clear that there is mismanagement by Ajay Maken and others who don't have the capacity to run a party," he added.

Shah today formally welcomed Lovely in the party in the presence of Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari.

According to sources, Lovely was upset over ticket distribution which compelled him to join the BJP.

Lovely was one of the important ministers in Sheila Dikshit's Cabinet during the Congress rule in Delhi.