WATCH: Hours after quitting Congress, Priyanka Chaturvedi explains why she's joining Shiv Sena in Mumbai

In a major snub to the Congress party amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, former AICC Spokesperson and Convenor Communication Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday has officially joined Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, a BJP ally in Maharashtra, hours after her resignation to Rahul Gandhi. 

"I know you all must be thinking that after giving 10 years to one political party, why took this decision. Those 10 years might have quite influential for me, but I believe that when it comes to the safety of women, I was able to put my forth my voice strongly. I used to see that I was trolled on social media without hesitation. But I used to continue my fight. However, I was shattered when a few party workers made objectionable comments against me. I was content that they were suspended. However, when they were reinstigated I was quite let down. So I took this decision.  know I will be held accountable for my past statements and my views and that how I came to this conclusion but I would like to say that this decision of joining Shiv Sena I have taken after a lot of thought," said Priyanka Chaturvedi addressing Shiv Sena's news briefing at Matoshree hours after quitting Congress.

Speaking at the press briefing, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray stated that he is proud of Priyanka Chaturvedi over her decision.

"She strongly defended the Congress in the past. I am proud that she will be a part of Shiv Sena now," said the Sena chief.

READ Priyanka Chaturvedi's Stunning And Scathing Resignation Letter To Rahul Gandhi As She Quits All Her Congress Posts

In a letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Chaturvedi rendered her resignation from all posts of the party earlier on April 18. 

"I had joined the INC as a member of Youth Congress in Mumbai 10 years back as I believed in the ideology of the party and your vision of inclusive, liberal, progressive politics. In the last few weeks certain things have convinced me that my service was not valued in the organisation and that I have reached the end of the road," she wrote in her resignation. 

WATCH: Congress Issues First Response On Priyanka Chaturvedi's Stunning Resignation From All Party Posts