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Former Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Tuesday, 28 September, joined the Congress party, in the presence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Meanwhile, Jignesh Mevani, an independent MLA from Gujarat, lent support to the party, as he could not formally join owing to "technical reasons".
(Photo accessed by The Quint)
(Photo accessed by The Quint)
Shortly afterwards, the duo attended a press conference in Delhi, addressing which Congress General Secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said:
Venugopal also dubbed Kumar "a symbol of the fight for freedom of expression in this country," and added:
"He fought against fundamentalism as a student leader. The joining of his kind of dynamic personality will fill the entire cadre of Congress with enthusiasm."
Addressing the press, Mevani on Tuesday shed light on the "technical reasons" keeping him from joining the Congress party. He explained:
"I am an independent MLA, if I join a party, I may not continue as an MLA."
Later in the day, he issued an official statement on Twitter, saying that he had decided to extend his full support to the Congress party in spirit.
"India is facing an uphill battle against the fascist forces, and it is about time we fight them unitedly. Indian National Congress has an impeccable record in India's struggle against oppressors, and I am confident that we shall reclaim and retain the spirit of democratic India together," he said.
Meanwhile, Kanhaiya Kumar was quoted by ANI as saying:
He also stated that Congress is not just a party, but also an idea.
"It's the country's oldest and most democratic party, and I am emphasising on 'democratic'."
Further, Kumar claimed that he is not alone in thinking that the country cannot survive without the Congress.
Meanwhile, reacting to Kanhaiya Kumar's induction into the Congress party, CPI General Secretary D Raja said Kumar must have had "some personal ambitions and aspirations."
Pointing out that CPI existed before Kumar joined, D Raja said "and (it) will succeed even after his expulsion."
"Our party is for selfless struggle and sacrifices. He (Kanhaiya Kumar) was not straightforward and truthful to my party."
Prior to the official announcement, visuals emerged of the duo meeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Park in Delhi.
Visual of Jignesh Mevani and Kanhaiya Kumar, along with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Shaheedi Park in Delhi.
Visual of Jignesh Mevani and Kanhaiya Kumar, along with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Shaheedi Park in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Congress national coordinator Ravindra Dalvi took to Twitter to welcome Mevani and Kumar to the party and thank Rahul Gandhi.
The two politicians, who are known for their vociferous opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have notably been inducted into the Congress on the birth anniversary of revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
"We, youngsters, want to work in the Congress, under a leader who talks about development and prosperity. We've raised voice for people of country in past, want to strengthen them and be their voice," said Gujarat Congress Working President Hardik Patel on Tuesday, ahead of Kumar and Mevani's joining.
Mevani, who belongs to the Dalit community and represents Gujarat's Vadgam constituency, could be made a working president of the party's state unit, sources have indicated.
Meanwhile, former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union President Kumar, who had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from his hometown of Begusarai in Bihar but had lost to the BJP's Giriraj Singh, is expected to bring a few other left-wing leaders with him to the Congress party.
It is quite likely that Mevani and Kumar would be a part of the Congress's campaign in the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur.
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Published: 28 Sep 2021,04:55 PM IST