Priyanka Kakkar joins Congress after accusing AAP of hypocrisy

Priyanka Kakkar, the former national spokesperson for the Aam Aadmi Party, has defected to the Congress, declaring that she could no longer defend the "indefensible" hypocrisy of her former political home.

Kakkar, who was one of the most prominent faces of AAP on national television, joined the Congress on Saturday alongside two other notable figures: former Uttar Pradesh MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma and journalist Rajat Rakesh Tandon.

Her departure is a significant blow to Arvind Kejriwal's party, as she used her exit to attack the very core of AAP's founding identity as a champion of political simplicity.

Why Priyanka Kakkar left AAP

Kakkar did not hold back in explaining her decision to walk away. She pointed directly to the growing gap between the party's original promise to reject the trappings of power and its current lifestyle.

"There was a time when it was said that AAP would not take a bungalow or a car," Kakkar said after joining the Congress. "But later, choppers started being used for private travel, and I could no longer defend the indefensible."

She also expressed deep frustration with the party's internal culture, noting that AAP was no longer able to retain the talented, intelligent people it had initially attracted.

Furthermore, she attacked the party's governance in Punjab, where AAP holds power. Kakkar questioned why newcomers from Rajasthan, who she said had not even worked at the grassroots booth level, were being imported and given senior positions, government bungalows, and official cars in Punjab.

Backing Rahul Gandhi

In contrast to her criticism of AAP, Kakkar offered strong praise for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, describing him as a resilient figure who has stood firm against immense political pressure.

"If there is one leader who is not afraid to promote his ideas, it is Rahul Gandhi," Kakkar said. She pointed out that he was the only leader today who had not "shed tears for the cameras" despite facing sustained humiliation and attacks from the political establishment.

Kakkar also took aim at the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, echoing Gandhi's criticisms of the electoral process. She accused Kumar of stealing voters' rights and effectively transferring them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's account, calling for a united opposition to stop it.

She urged other opposition leaders and voters to rally behind the Congress to prevent votes from being scattered. "We must all come together now to support the Congress and support Rahul Gandhi in his authentic fight to keep the idea of India alive," she said.