Maken breaks down on question concerning Lovely

Delhi Congress President Ajay Maken on Tuesday broke down during the recording of a programme on a news channel when asked about former Delhi minister Arvinder Singh Lovely quitting the party to join the BJP.

The former Union minister was responding to the question during an interview on ABP news channel, as to why senior leaders like Sheila Dikshit had not so far participated in the municipal polls campaign and why some leaders, considered party loyalists, were deserting the party and joining BJP.

"It is quite natural that questions would be raised on my leadership. For the last two years I have done every bit for Congress in Delhi. May be there would be few shortcomings in my work style," Maken said, adding that he was not aware of them.

Asked if Lovely joining BJP was a big setback for him, tears welled up in Maken's eyes and he could not speak for some time.

"Yes, it is definitely," he said.

Lovely, who joined BJP on Tuesday, had been elected four times as Congress MLA, was a minister in the Sheila Dikshit government and was considered a prominent Sikh face of the party in Delhi.

--IANS

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