Ajay Maken resigns as Delhi Congress chief, thanks Rahul Gandhi, party workers for support

In a huge political setback for the Grand Old Party of India, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken resigned from his post on health grounds on Friday. Maken reportedly met Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi a day before. Latest media reports suggest that Gandhi has accepted Maken’s resignation. While there is no official confirmation from the Congress, Maken’s Friday morning tweet hints towards latest development. In his single tweet, he thanked Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party and the media. He said that “it was not easy” and “thanked everyone for support.”

 

2015 विधान सभा के उपरान्त-
बतौर @INCDelhi अध्यक्ष-पिछले 4 वर्षों से,दिल्ली कांग्रेस कार्यकर्ताओं द्वारा,कांग्रेस कवर करने वाली मीडिया द्वारा,एवं हमारे नेता @RahulGandhi जी द्वारा,मुझे अपार स्नेह तथा सहयोग मिला है।

इन कठिन परिस्थितियों में यह आसान नहीं था! इसके लिए ह्रदय से आभार!

— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) January 4, 2019

News about Maken’s resignation is not new. In September last year, similar rumours were buzzing in political corridors. However, at that time, the Congress had come forward and dismissed as "rumours" reports about Maken’s resignation. At that time, party had said that he had gone for a medical checkup abroad and continues holding the post.

Maken had informed Congress president Rahul Gandhi and in-charge of the party's Delhi unit, PC Chacko, about his trip, party leaders had said.

"Maken has not resigned and will continue to be the Delhi Congress chief," Chacko was quoted as saying by PTI.

"He has left and has informed Congress president Rahul Gandhi and me about his medical checkup. He will return on September 22," he had said.

Later speaking to reporters, Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Sharmishtha Mukherjee had said, "Resignation of Ajay Maken is completely a rumour. He is and will remain our president." 

At that time also, Maken had told media about "painful orthopaedic ailment". The clarification came two days after reports suggested that he had resigned as Delhi Congress chief. Maken had tweeted that he was "deeply touched" by outpouring of wishes and concerns about his health but did not comment on the resignation "rumours". "Deeply touched by the outpouring of good wishes and concern about my health. I'm suffering from an irreversible & progressive orthopaedic ailment, which is extremely painful, but not life-threatening. Seeking 3rd opinion on the exact cause-To arrest progression & obliterate pain(sic)," he had tweeted.