In a dramatic political shift, former BJP MP Ashok Tanwar rejoined the Congress just two days before the Haryana Assembly elections. This unexpected move occurred shortly after Tanwar had been campaigning for the BJP earlier in the day.
#WATCH | Haryana BJP leader Ashok Tanwar joined Congress in the presence of Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, in Mahendragarh
(Source: Congress) pic.twitter.com/g4pqSmbqGo---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2024
From BJP Campaigning to Congress Rally
At around 1:45 pm on Thursday, Tanwar was seen rallying for BJP’s candidate Randhir Panihar, contesting from the Nalwa seat, and expressed confidence in the BJP forming the government under Nayab Saini’s leadership. However, within an hour, Tanwar made a surprise appearance at a Congress rally in Mahendragarh district, where Rahul Gandhi was addressing supporters.
“Ghar Wapsi” to Congress
Tanwar’s return to Congress was marked with the announcement: “Aaj unki ghar wapsi ho gayi hai” (Today, he has returned home to the Congress). As a prominent Dalit leader and former Haryana Congress president, Tanwar’s rejoining the party is seen as a strategic boost for Congress as it seeks to unseat the BJP in the state.
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Tanwar had left Congress in 2019 following disagreements with senior leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Over the past few years, Tanwar’s political journey saw him joining the Trinamool Congress, then the Aam Aadmi Party, and eventually the BJP earlier this year.
Warm Welcome from Congress Leadership
On stage, Tanwar was warmly received by Rahul Gandhi, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and KC Venugopal. His return comes at a crucial moment for Congress, as the party aims to rally support ahead of the October 5 Assembly election. The results will be announced on October 8.
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