New Delhi: In a big blow to the grand old party, former Congress MLA Surendra Pal Singh Bittu joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday, along with his supporters.

Mr Bittu, a two-time former MLA from the Timarpur Assembly constituency, was serving as the president of the Congress’ Karawal Nagar district unit, a statement from the AAP said.

He joined the Arvind Kejriwal-led party in the presence of its senior leader and Delhi unit convenor Ashutosh. Mr Bittu lauded the AAP for working hard for the interests of the poor and downtrodden and wished to work with Mr Kejriwal, the statement added.

Eight current and former office-bearers of the Congress, including the serving secretary of its Delhi unit, Ashok Tyagi, also joined the AAP, along with Mr Bittu.

Mr Bittu was the MCD councillor in the year 2002 and 2003 and was an MLA from 2003 to 2013 from Timarpur constituency.

After joining you, Surender Pal Singh Bittu had said that the Aam Aadmi Party is doing a very good job in Delhi, so he and his workers have decided to walk on their shoulders.

“The way in which the AAP government is functioning in the city and is working for the people in all ranks is really commendable. I want to function shoulder to shoulder with chief minister in working for the society,” Mr Bittu said.

Mr Bittu has been associated with the Congress since 1977. Before joining politics, he had a business dealing in automobile spare parts, which his brother and uncle now run.