Why Priyanka Chaturvedi chose Shiv Sena over the BJP

Priyanka Chaturvedi had recently jumped ship from the Congress to the Shiv Sena because of her reservations on the prevailing culture in the grand old party. Priyanka Chaturvedi in a letter to the Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi has expressed her feelings and took her chances by resigning from the Congress.

In the letter she said, ” In the last few weeks certain things have conceived me that my services are not valued in the organization and that I have reached the end of road. At the same time I also feel that more time that I spend in the organization will be at the cost of my own self and Dignity.”

 The ‘certain events’ which Priyanka cites in her letter to the Congress chief, Rahul Gandhi, many claim, points towards the recent nomination of Hindi cinema industry actress, Urmila Matondkar from the Mumbai- North Parliamentary Constituency as the Congress candidate, which Priyanka was seeking for herself. Priyanka Chaturvedi, already disgruntled, had been a part of Congress for more than 10 years. However, recent events involving several leaders of Uttar Pradesh Congress were the final nail in the coffins.

 She also added in her resignation letter, “What saddens me is that despite the safety, dignity, empowerment of women being promoted by the party and has been your call to action the same is not reflected in the action of some of the members of the party. A serious incident of misbehavior against me by certain party members while I was on official duty for the party has been ignored under the guise of all hand needed for the election.”

Priyanka was referring to the incident in Mathura, where some Congress party members had allegedly misbehaved with her, for the same, Congress had also suspended the related members. However after a strict warning and a written apology by the accused members of the Congress, their suspension was cancelled. According to sources these leaders had even followed Priyanka to her room, after Priyanka had decided to complain to the Congress top leadership.

Priyanka during her stint with the Congress was late to realize the long standing culture of dynastic politics and nepotism that prevails in the Congress. The Congress has long been criticised for only giving tickets to, people from families close to the Gandhi’s or people from other influential families.

However joining Shiv Sena, evidently, seems to a thought out and calculated move on the part of Priyanka Chaturvedi. Priyanka seems to be eyeing a ticket in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, which are just 6 months from the general elections. Uddhav Thackeray on Priyanka joining the Shiv Sena also congratulated her and said that the party might also give her responsibilities outside of Maharashtra.

In a press conference after joining the Shiv Sena, she had also said “I was hopeful the party (Congress) would take me to another level but that did not happen.” Which again point towards the reasons behind her quitting the Congress.

Priyanka has been facing flak for her unfair criticism of the BJP over social media networks has thus avoided an odd situation which could have emerged If  she would have joined the BJP. Priyanka has also been criticized for using derogatory terms for Cabinet minister Smriti Irani.

However the prospects of  expected candidature for her, in the assembly elections look better with the Shiv Sena. Joining Shiv Sena also provides, Priyanka the necessary room to accommodate here views for the long standing allies of the Shiv Sena i.e. the BJP. Ultimately Priyanka Chaturvedi move is poised to benefit the NDA in the upcoming elections however it is sure to impact Congress’ image and electoral plans.