Priyanka Kakkar Quits AAP, Joins Congress Along With Former UP MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma
In a notable political shift, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar, former Uttar Pradesh MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma, and veteran journalist Rajat Rakesh Tandon officially joined the Congress party on Saturday.
Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar joined the Congress on Saturday, October 3, along with former Uttar Pradesh MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma and journalist Rajat Rakesh Tandon. The three joined the party at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi.
Kakkar, who had been associated with AAP since 2013 and served as its national chief spokesperson from 2023, said her decision to leave the party followed what she described as changes in its political approach and functioning. 'Simply Join Congress Directly': Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Urges Mamata Banerjee to Merge TMC.
Priyanka Kakkar, Shyam Sundar Sharma and Rajat Rakesh Tandon Join Congress
कांग्रेस पार्टी की विचारधारा से प्रभावित होकर आज आम आदमी पार्टी की नेता @PKakkar_ जी कांग्रेस में शामिल हुईं। उनके साथ रजत राकेश टंडन जी और पूर्व विधायक श्याम सुंदर शर्मा जी कांग्रेस पार्टी में शामिल हुए।
आप सभी को बधाई और भविष्य के लिए हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
📍 दिल्ली pic.twitter.com/nsbPxrhsUi
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 3, 2026
Kakkar Explains Decision to Leave AAP
Addressing a press conference after joining Congress, Kakkar said she wanted to see a “green, clean, progressive and safe” Delhi similar to the city in which she grew up. She said that after more than a decade in politics, she believed Congress could deliver that vision. Kakkar also praised Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, describing him as an “authentic” and resilient political leader.
Kakkar also criticised the AAP's evolution, alleging that the party's practices had moved away from some of its early positions. Among other things, she referred to the use of private helicopters and questioned appointments within the party. These are Kakkar's allegations about her former party and have not been independently established by the reports reviewed. AIMIM Leader Syed Asim Waqar Joins Congress Ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls 2027.
Kakkar's Political Background
Kakkar joined AAP in 2013 and subsequently held several organisational responsibilities. She served as the party's Telangana observer between 2017 and 2019 and was also associated with its legal and election-related work. In April 2023, she was appointed AAP's national chief spokesperson. She became one of the party's regular representatives in television debates and media interactions. Her move to Congress comes amid political activity in Delhi, where the two parties have been competing for political space.
Former UP MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma Also Joins
Former Uttar Pradesh MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma also joined Congress alongside Kakkar. Congress described Sharma as a former MLA from Uttar Pradesh. Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla, while welcoming the new entrants, referred to Sharma's political experience and previous ministerial role.
Sharma's induction comes as Congress continues to strengthen its political organisation ahead of upcoming electoral contests in Uttar Pradesh.
Journalist Rajat Rakesh Tandon Joins Party
Journalist Rajat Rakesh Tandon was the third prominent figure to join Congress on Saturday. Congress said Tandon has more than two decades of experience in journalism and comes from the family of freedom fighter Purushottam Das Tandon.
Tandon said his family had a longstanding association with Congress and that his experience as a journalist covering the party had influenced his decision to join it.
Congress Welcomes New Members
The Congress announced the inductions through its official social media account, describing Kakkar, Sharma and Tandon as new members of the party. The latest political shift comes at a time when Congress and AAP continue to operate as separate political entities despite having worked together in the INDIA bloc during the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Kakkar's move marks a change in political affiliation after more than a decade with AAP, while the simultaneous induction of Sharma and Tandon expands Congress' latest group of entrants.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2026 04:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
