Manpreet Badal resigns from Congress, joins BJP hours later

Former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal, in a letter addressed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, announced his resignation from the Indian National Congress on Wednesday, stating that he was vilified by the party for failing to display “what can only be described as fiscal recklessness.”

Hours later, the former Punjab minister joined the Bharatiya Janta Party in the presence of Union minister Piyush Goyal at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.

In the letter, which was shared by Badal on his social media handles, he stated, “I devoted every ounce of energy to every office I have had the honour of holding, both in the party and the government. I thank you for having provided me these opportunities and for the kindness and courtesy you have shown me in the past.”

“Regretfully, given the prevalent culture within the party and the defiant desire in the present course, I no longer wish to be a part of the Indian National Congress,” he continued.

“The coterie of men entrusted with the authority to dictate Delhi’s writ to the Punjab unit of the Congress are far from sound,” he added further, citing that the men had only increased the “factionalism” in the party.

Soon after the news broke out, Punjab INC President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring took to Twitter to share his thoughts about the situation, calling the former Congress leader “congenitally power hungry.”

“Good riddance. @MSBADAL is congenitally power hungry. He joined @INCIndia knowing party was winning. 5 yrs is long time for someone like him to stay out of power for reasons not unknown to anyone. Instead of crying martyrdom, he should be apologising to Congress for betrayal,” he stated.