Won't comment on speculation on Rita Bahuguna: Congress

The Congress on Monday said there were "rumours" on party's former Uttar Pradesh unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi joining the BJP, but added it would not respond to "speculations".

"There are some rumours in the media. But, we don't respond to speculations," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

Bahuguna's brother and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party a few months back.

Another Congress leader said: "She is a former PCC President and an important leader. There is no denying the fact. But her phone is switched off."

Bahuguna's joining the BJP will boost the party and will help it consolidate the Brahmin votes. The Congress has declared Sheila Diskhit as its chief ministerial candidate in the 2017 assembly elections.

Some in the Congress feel her brother's joining the BJP might have influenced her decision.

"We have to ask oursleves if people are moving out because there are some ambitions which can be better fulfilled elsewhere. Or, have we made any mistake," said a party leader.

--IANS

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