Without naming the Congress, she said she gave 10 years to the party in which she thought she could speak for the cause of women, despite being trolled on the social media.
Former Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday joined the Shiv Sena, blaming the Rahul Gandhi-led party for reinstating party workers who misbehaved with her recently.
At a press conference in Mumbai, Chaturvedi was welcomed into the Sena by the saffron party president Uddhav Thackeray, who said Shiv Sena workers have got a "good sister" in Chaturvedi.
Earlier in the day, Chaturvedi, who was convenor of the Congress media cell, was miffed at the reinstatement of some party workers in Uttar Pradesh who had threatened and misbehaved with her during her press conference in Mathura a few days ago.
She told media Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra that she was pained after some Congress workers, who had made comments against her, were reinstated by that party.
Without naming the Congress, she said she gave 10 years to the party in which she thought she could speak for the cause of women, despite being trolled on the social media.
"I kept speaking in a 'bindaas' (fearless) way despite being abused and trolled constantly," she said. "I was pained when some party workers made comments about me. After being suspended, they were reinstated," she added.
1. 'Cong ignored statements against me'
Chaturvedi said the statements made against her were ignored by the party (Congress), despite speaking for 10 years at a "great personal cost" and without joining politics formally.
"I was very let down. I thought If I didn't fight for my self respect, I would fail women. I have joined the Sena after a lot of thinking, and understanding my responsibility towards the cause of women," she said.
2. Not about tickets
She denied that she resigned from the Congress after being denied a ticket in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
"Parties keep fighting elections. However, only fighting and winning is not life. The work of party workers should be to accept an ideology and work towards the cause," Thackeray said.
Asked what post will Chaturvedi be given in the party, Thackeray said, "I will give her a post befitting her capabilities and one in which she would be beneficial for the Sena."
3. Will work for Sena
Chaturvedi said she would work towards strengthening the Sena not only in Maharashtra, but across the country.
Asked why did she join the Sena and not the BJP, Chaturvedi said that as she hailed from Mumbai, her "karmabhoomi", she always felt connected to the Sena.
"If I have joined the party, it is only with a feeling to serve and not for political posts. I wanted to come back to my roots. When I thought of coming back, I did not find any organisation better than this and no other better platform than this," she said.
4. Twitter reactions
You don't watch The Exorcist if you are repelled by horror movies, Yashwant. https://t.co/yxT6WZlDnl
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) April 19, 2019
All liberals giving moral gyaan to @priyankac19 on “Why ShivSena?”, please understand it was not an ideological choice. She was abused and humiliated as a person. The Congress leadership made a personal choice to retain her abusers. She made a personal choice to get even. Simple.
— Yashwant Deshmukh (@YRDeshmukh) April 19, 2019
This made my day. Woman who quits a party she accuses of having lumpen goons, joins a party she accuses of having lumpen goons. (h/t @priyankac19) pic.twitter.com/eAxYvwAADY
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) April 19, 2019
I remember election results day 2014. When most INC leaders were skulking in the shadows, @priyankac19 stepped up and answered questions on TV bravely and clearly. She’s an asset for the party, a fine spokesperson, and a rare politician who has always stayed grounded. Good luck! https://t.co/VlClVo9Iz2
— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) April 19, 2019
After a decade of inspired service @priyankac19 quits @INCIndia.This
— Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) April 19, 2019
is a defining moment in Indian politics.Political parties are accountable organisations. Questions arise as to how they conduct themselves where they have to balance principles with morale#priyankachaturvedi https://t.co/iZLoft4TAj
Priyanka Chaturvedi resigns from the Congress party after the party reinstated the men who harassed and misbehaved with her in Mathura. This shows Congress in very poor light. Have seen @priyankac19 rise since 2013 as a dynamic spokesperson with her own hardwork on ground.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) April 19, 2019
To have lost her to selfish personal interests would have been no loss but to lose her because she felt her party didn’t stand up for her is all the more unfortunate. All the best going ahead Priyanka @priyankac19
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 19, 2019
From Congress to Shiv Sena in twelve hours. All politics is opportunism, there is no such thing as ideology.. https://t.co/FUQ3lYS34g
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) April 19, 2019
If #PriyankaChaturvedi had a moral point to make about Congress hooligans, surely lost in joining party inimical to ideology she spouted till yday? And on hooliganism, historically Sena can out thrash Cong any day.
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) April 19, 2019
She will be protected. Can't wait for pic greeting Modi n Shah.
Within 48 hours Shiv Sena , alliance partner of #BJP , has no “goons “ in it. Awesome! Kya baat hai!
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 19, 2019
Political opportunism touches a new nadir.
The self-righteous bullshit is sickening.
But hey, tomorrow is another day.
When you quit a party based on issue of harassment by party workers, and then you join a party whose party workers harass women of the entire city. That is called being a politician.
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) April 19, 2019
5. Twitter reactions part 2
जी आपके साथ न्याय नय कर पाये @RahulGandhi जनता को न्याय केसे कर पायेंगे !! जनता तो समज रही अब आप को भी समज आ गया दुबे जहाज़ में बेठना हानिकारक हे
— Hitesh Chavda (@imhiteshchavda) April 19, 2019
Ma'am, please don't leave @INCIndia !
— Malhar (@MalharTakle) April 19, 2019
You have done an amazing job till now. It's time for Great Success to come. Its a whole hearted request of many like me
Welcome Chowkidar Priyanka Chaturvedi
— Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) April 19, 2019
Priyanka Chaturvedi has spunk and commitment. Congress has lost an erudite spokesperson who came with no dynastic background, not that that is wrong, but just saying that she was committed to the party and leadership and carved a niche for herself. See you in another avatar PC
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) April 19, 2019