Ashok Tanwar Returns to Congress Ahead of Haryana Assembly Elections

Amidst the ongoing Haryana Assembly elections, Ashok Tanwar, a former Member of Parliament and a prominent politician in the region, has rejoined the Indian National Congress. This development comes as a significant setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), shortly before the elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.

Tanwar’s decision to return to Congress was officially announced during a rally in Mahendragarh, attended by senior Congress figures including Rahul Gandhi and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The event marked a turning point as Tanwar, who had left Congress in 2019 due to internal disputes, reversed his political allegiance “ghar vapsi,” meaning returning home.

Once a close associate of Rahul Gandhi, Tanwar’s return signifies a potential boost for the Congress party, which is attempting to regain power from the ruling BJP in Haryana. The move is calculated to strengthen Congress’s outreach, particularly among Dalit voters, as Tanwar has been a notable Dalit leader in the state.

Tanwar, who was initially part of the Indian National Congress, had contested and won the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Sirsa. He had exited Congress due to disagreements with Bhupinder Singh Hooda and later joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2022. However, his political journey also included a brief stint with the Trinamool Congress.

Rahul Gandhi, while welcoming Tanwar back to the Congress fold, emphasized the party’s commitment to fighting for the rights of the marginalized and strengthening democracy in the state. Meanwhile, Congress expressed its enthusiasm over Tanwar’s return, stating that it would aide in empowering the disenfranchised sections of society in the region.

This political shift arrives just before the state is set to cease election campaigning, adding to the existing competitive political landscape. Both the BJP and the Congress are vying for a strong performance, hoping to influence the large voter base ahead of the polls.