The Delhi Congress on Monday hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his statement against its president Sheila Dikshit, saying the Delhi Chief Minister may not have the respect and honour she has earned in his entire life.
The sharp reaction came from Rajesh Lilothia, working president of Delhi Congress, following Kejriwal's statement referring to Dikshit as "not an important leader".
The Delhi Chief Minister earlier told reporters in Vishakhanpatnam that Congress President Rahul Gandhi has refused to forge an alliance with the AAP for the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital.
Asked about Congress' Delhi unit president Sheila Dikshit's remarks that Kejriwal never approached her for an alliance, the chief minister said, "We have met Rahul Gandhi. Dikshit is not that an important leader." The bitterness between the two parties refused to die down even as there are speculations that the two sides may have an alliance for Lok Sabha polls.
Lilothia said Dikshit is not only one of the senior most leaders of the Congress party but is also respected by all castes, creeds and religions for her egalitarian outlook. She also held in high esteem by leaders of rival political parties and Kejriwal's unwarranted comments against her was intended to gain cheap political mileage.
"Kejriwal is like a chameleon that changes his colours to suit the occasion. He is spreading falsehood to mislead the people for their votes without minding his words and showing least concern for the image of respected leaders like Dikshit.
"Dikshit is popular because of her personality not only in Delhi but in the entire country. Kejriwal may not have the respect and honour she has earned in his entire life," Lilothia said a in a statement.
Dikshit's former cabinet colleague and party spokesperson Ramakant Goswami hit out at AAP for opposing policies and principles of Congress despite "pleading" with it for alliance. The three time former Delhi Chief Minister who was appointed president of Delhi unit of Congress, has so far effectively checked attempts of an alliance of her party with AAP, although a final word on it is yet to come from Rahul Gandhi.
Delhi Congress spokesperson alleged that Kejriwal was involved in "weakening" the Congress in the past with the support of the RSS and BJP.
The AAP fielded candidates to cut into votes of Congress in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh who lost their deposits, he added.