LUCKNOW: In what could jolt Congress before 2022 assembly elections, political corridors on Saturday evening were rife with speculation about the party's young Turk, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi, quitting the grand old party. While most Congress leaders remained tight-lipped or clueless, top sources confirmed to TOI that Tripathi, a fourth-generation Congressman and great grandson of former chief minister Kamlapati Tripathi, had indeed resigned.
A second Brahmin leader from UP to desert Congress after Jitin Prasada, he’s rumoured to be in touch with Samajwadi Party and may switch camps soon. However, there was no immediate confirmation from SP on Tripathi’s induction.
UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu said, “I am yet to receive any intimation from Tripathi or the party leadership and so I cannot comment.” A former MLA from Madhian seat in Mirzapur, Tripathi was anointed UP Congress vice-president and made in charge of party’s activities in eastern districts.
While Congressmen appeared rattled, a section in the party said the development may not be true. Talking to TOI, former minister and senior Congress leader Ajai Rai said, “He has not left the party to the best of my knowledge. However, those who would contest elections have been told to quit their official positions as per directives of the party brass.”
With Prasada in BJP camp and Tripathi rumoured to join Samajwadi Party, Congress would have to scour for a Brahmin face at a time when all political parties are desperately trying to woo the community, which accounts for 13% of the electorate in the state. Interestingly, Lalitesh was a committed Congressman who had once pledged to wear a turban till the party stormed back to power.
