No discipline in Congress, says Krishna Tirath after joining BJP

NEW DELHI: Former Union Minister Krishna Tirath, who joined BJP today, said she had taken the decision to switch the party as there was "no discipline" in the Congress.

Tirath (59), a Congress veteran and dalit leader who served as a minister in the UPA government, said BJP is the only party "which cares" for dalit community.

"I am today joining BJP because discipline has come to an end in Congress. Discipline is only followed in the BJP which has a policy to promote dalit people, women and youth in the country," she told a press conference here after joining BJP.

Asked if there has been no "discipline" in Congress under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, she said, "There have been some reasons, that's why I have joined BJP where discipline is followed."

Tirath's joining of BJP is seen as a boost to the party which is keen to woo the Dalit voters for the February 7 assembly polls.

Out of 70 seats in Delhi Assembly, 12 are reserved. In the last Assembly polls, AAP had won nine seats while the BJP won just two and Congress one.

Welcoming her to BJP, state party chief Satish Upadhyay said that her induction into the BJP will strengthen the party ahead of Assembly elections.

Asked if she would support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah's slogan - "Congress-Mukt Bharat", Tirath also said, "We will make country Congress-free and promote women and youth."