Priyanka Chaturvedi joining Shiv Sena an 'ideological leap', says Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said Priyanka Chaturvedi’s joining of Shiv Sena was quite an “ideological leap”. “From left of centre to the far right this is quite an ideological leap. Personally, I can think of at least one other party I’d have rather seen her represent but good luck to @priyankac19 all the same,” the NC leader wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, Omar had said that Chaturvedi was an asset for the Congress party. “It’s a pity @priyankac19 will not be seen defending the Congress on our TV screens any longer. She was an asset to the party & a fearless advocate for the party & its leadership.

“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,” the NC leader said.

Priyanka Chaturvedi joined the Shiv Sena on Friday. Earlier, she had tweeted her resignation letter expressing her anguish with the Congress party after it reinstated leaders who misbehaved with her. She was also the convenor of Congress party's media cell.  “What saddens me is that despite the safety, dignity, empowerment of women being promoted by the party...the same is not reflected in the action of some of the members of the party,” she wrote. She also in a tweet said that she was deeply saddened that lumpen goons, who threatened her within the party.

Several Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders allegedly misbehaved with Priyanka Chaturvedi during a press conference in Mathura on the issue of Rafale deal. On Chaturvedi's complaint, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) suspended them for their unruly behaviour. However, after Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia’s intervention, their suspension was revoked.

“On Congress General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia's intervention, action taken against you all is suspended. We expect you won't do any such act in future that tarnish the image of the party," a UPCC letter signed by UP Congress Executive Committee member Fazle Masood read.