| In Short |
| Former MP Ashok Tanwar rejoined Congress just before the Haryana Assembly elections, marking his fourth party switch in five years. |
| Over the last five years, Tanwar has been associated with the Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, BJP, and now Congress again. |
| His return is strategically timed, with the Haryana elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, potentially impacting voter dynamics. |
| Tanwar’s influence, especially in Dalit communities, could strengthen Congress’s chances in the state, |
| Tanwar’s departure from BJP is seen as a blow, particularly as he had recently campaigned for them ahead of the elections. |
In a dramatic political turn of events, former Lok Sabha MP Ashok Tanwar has rejoined Congress just days before the Haryana Assembly elections. Tanwar, a prominent Dalit leader and former Haryana Congress chief, made his return to the party official on October 3, 2024, during a rally in Mahendragarh, where he was seen alongside Rahul Gandhi. This move comes as a significant boost for Congress, which is looking to unseat the ruling BJP in the upcoming state elections.
A Rollercoaster Political Journey
Ashok Tanwar’s political journey over the past five years has been nothing short of tumultuous. Tanwar, who served as Congress MP from Sirsa in 2009 and later as Haryana Congress president from 2014 to 2019, resigned from the party in 2019 due to differences with senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Following his exit, Tanwar launched his own political outfit, the Apna Bharat Morcha, in 2021. However, he quickly shifted his allegiance to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) later that year, and then to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2022. His most recent switch occurred earlier this year when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
His latest re-entry into Congress marks his fourth political switch in just five years, a move that underscores his complex relationship with various political parties. Tanwar’s return to Congress has surprised many, particularly as he was recently seen campaigning for the BJP in the lead-up to the Haryana Assembly elections.
Impact on Haryana’s Political Landscape
Tanwar’s return to Congress could have a significant impact on the political landscape of Haryana, especially as the state gears up for its elections on October 5, 2024. Known for his grassroots connections and influence among the Dalit community, Tanwar is expected to provide Congress with an electoral boost in key constituencies. His rejoining also poses a setback for the BJP, which had counted on his support to consolidate votes in its favor.
The timing of Tanwar’s move is crucial, as it comes just before the final days of election campaigning. Political analysts believe that his re-entry into Congress could sway a segment of voters who were undecided or leaning towards the BJP, especially in regions like Sirsa and Mahendragarh.
Rahul Gandhi’s Influence
Tanwar’s rejoining of Congress has been largely attributed to his long-standing association with Rahul Gandhi. The two have shared a close political relationship, dating back to when Tanwar served as president of the Indian Youth Congress. Tanwar was seen as one of Gandhi’s trusted aides during his tenure with the Congress, and his fallout in 2019 was considered a major loss for Gandhi’s camp.
Rahul Gandhi, during the rally in Mahendragarh where Tanwar’s return was announced, emphasized Congress’s commitment to unity and its focus on restoring constitutional values, themes that resonate with Tanwar’s political ethos. Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ which seeks to unite the country across political and social lines, seems to have been a key factor in convincing Tanwar to return to the Congress fold.
A Setback for BJP
Tanwar’s defection from the BJP is seen as a major blow to the party, particularly since he was actively campaigning for the saffron brigade in Haryana just days before his switch. His departure from the BJP adds to the party’s existing challenges in the state, where it faces anti-incumbency sentiments and a strong opposition alliance between Congress and other regional players.
The BJP had hoped that Tanwar, with his influence in the Dalit community, would help it secure key votes in the upcoming elections. However, with his re-entry into Congress, the party is now left scrambling to recalibrate its electoral strategy in the final days of the campaign.
The Road Ahead for Ashok Tanwar and Congress
As Ashok Tanwar makes his fourth political switch in five years, his return to Congress has created ripples across Haryana’s political landscape. Whether his comeback will help Congress reclaim its lost ground in the state remains to be seen, but it is clear that his presence will add momentum to the party’s efforts to unseat the BJP.
For Tanwar, this move also marks a return to familiar territory, where his close ties with Rahul Gandhi and his political base in Haryana may offer him a renewed platform to make a significant impact. As the Haryana elections approach, all eyes will be on Tanwar and the role he plays in Congress’s electoral strategy.
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