Setback For BJP As Ashok Tanwar Returns To Congress Ahead of Haryana Polls

Chandigarh: In a setback to the BJP , its senior leader and former MP Ashok Tanwar joined the Congress at a rally of Rahul Gandhi in Mahendragarh district in Haryana on Thursday, two days before the state goes to polls.

As Gandhi was winding up his speech, an announcement was made from the stage asking the audience to wait for a few minutes.

Soon after, Tanwar, who had joined the BJP earlier this year, walked onto the stage and it was announced that "aaj unki ghar vapsi ho gayi ha (today, he has returned to the Congress fold)".

Tanwar, who was once considered close to Gandhi, rejoined the Congress just hours before the campaigning for the October 5 Haryana Assembly elections was set to conclude at 6 pm. He had previously left the Congress in 2019 due to differences with senior leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

His return as a prominent Dalit leader is expected to strengthen the Congress as it aims to regain power from the BJP after a decade. During the rejoining event, Tanwar shook hands with Gandhi and was warmly welcomed by Hooda, who patted him on the back. Senior Congress leader K C Venugopal was also present on stage.

Before his return to Congress , Tanwar had joined the AAP in April 2022 and had a brief stint with the Trinamool Congress.

(With inputs from PTI)