Block-level leaders from Cong, BJP join AAP ahead of Delhi Assembly polls

Ahead of the February 5 Assembly elections in Delhi, several block-level leaders and workers from the Congress and BJP on Saturday joined the Aam Aadmi Party in the presence of Chief Minister Atishi.

Welcoming the new members, Atishi said, "Taking inspiration from the work done by Arvind Kejriwal and AAP, the convoy of the party is growing by the day."  Prominent among those who joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was Mamata Verma, along with several Congress workers from the Wazirpur Assembly constituency.

Leaders and workers from the Kirari constituency also switched allegiance to the AAP.

BJP's former councillor candidate from Sundar Nagri, Bhumika Singh, also joined AAP along with her supporters, further bolstering the latter's cadre-base ahead of the polls.  Earlier in the day, during a press conference, Kejriwal acknowledged concerns raised by tenants in Delhi, many of whom, he said, benefit from the city's schools and hospitals, but are excluded from the free utilities scheme. "Wherever I go, I meet people living on rent who say they benefit from good schools and hospitals, but are deprived of free electricity and water schemes," he remarked.

Kejriwal assured tenants, particularly from the Purvanchal region, that after the elections, the AAP would ensure they also receive the same benefits as homeowners.

The 70-member Delhi Assembly will go to polls on February 5, and the results will be out on February 8.