Haven't joined Congress, didn't give written resignation either: Alka Lamba
What's the story
Earlier this month, rebel AAP MLA Alka Lamba called it quits with the party, putting an end to her six-year-long journey. But, on Wednesday she claimed she hasn't given her "written resignation". Lamba also clarified she hasn't joined Congress, the party with which she started her political career years ago. She made the remarks in Delhi Assembly during a hearing on her disqualification plea moved by AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj.
What she said
I never gave a written resignation: Lamba
Lamba said she gave her Twitter resignation after a spat with Bharadwaj. "I never gave a written resignation. Now, it is up to the Speaker to decide whether he can treat it as an official resignation," she told The Hindu. She added that she was elected as an MLA by people, hence, won't step down. But, she claimed that the Speaker was "being pressurized" by AAP leaders.
Quote
Here is what Lamba said
"I was asked if I had joined the Congress officially. I told him no. He also asked if I resigned from the AAP (which is led by Arvind Kejriwal) in writing, I again said no. These two are facts and truth," Lamba added.
What happened
Lamba referred to Kejriwal's picture with Lalu to defend herself
During the hearing, Lamba was also shown her picture with UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, whom she met weeks ago. "When asked about it, I showed Arvind Kejriwal's photo with Lalu Prasad Yadav and asked what could be implied," she said. As per Lamba, Speaker has given her time till 4 pm on Thursday to submit her written resignation.
Tweet
Separately, Bharadwaj lambasted Lamba, claimed she is scared
Reacting to the development, Bharadwaj tweeted that Lamba can not be taken seriously. "After announcing her Congress joining with Sonia Gandhi, she claims everything was a lie. Can such people be trusted for anything? (sic)," Bharadwaj wrote. He also claimed his sources told him that Congress is not planning to give a ticket to Lamba from Chandni Chowk for the 2020 Assembly polls.
Twitter Post
"Is there any value of their announcements?"
One day she says,she has become independent MLA,another day she claims her ghar wapsi to Congress.
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) September 18, 2019
Now claims she is back in AAP
Sources - Congress conducted a survey in Chandni Chowk and denied any chances of her Congress ticket. A Sr INC leader's son is far popular than her.
Looking back
To recall, Lamba has been fighting with AAP for months
In December 2018, differences between AAP and Lamba emerged after the party moved a resolution to withdraw Bharat Ratna awarded to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. She opposed the move saying she was ready for "consequences". In May, she lambasted Kejriwal for the party's rout in the general elections. While her resignation was hardly surprising, the recent turn of events definitely are!