) |
|
Ashok Tanwar, a prominent Dalit leader and former MP from Sirsa, has made a dramatic return to the Congress party just days before the Haryana elections. This move, coming just an hour after Tanwar endorsed a BJP candidate, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. While the reasons behind his sudden change of allegiance remain unclear, his decision has undoubtedly dealt a blow to the BJP, particularly in the crucial Haryana elections.
Tanwar's political journey has been a rollercoaster of affiliations. He rose through the ranks of the Congress, serving as president of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Indian Youth Congress. His close ties with Rahul Gandhi further cemented his prominence in the party. In 2009, Tanwar successfully contested from Sirsa on a Congress ticket and later became the Haryana Congress president in 2014. However, his tenure was marked by internal conflicts, particularly with Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a Congress heavyweight and former Chief Minister of Haryana. Eventually, Tanwar was replaced as state chief in 2019 by Kumari Selja, another Dalit leader.
Following his exit from the Congress in 2019, Tanwar joined the Trinamool Congress briefly in 2021 before moving to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2022. He left AAP ahead of the general elections due to disagreements over the party's alliance with the Congress. In January 2024, Tanwar joined the BJP, hoping for a political revival. He contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but lost to Congress leader Kumari Selja. Despite sporadic campaigning for BJP candidates in Sirsa, Tanwar's political activity seemed to fade. Then, just days before the Haryana elections, he made his return to the Congress, leaving the BJP bewildered and the Congress hopeful for a boost in voter support.
Tanwar's decision to rejoin the Congress has been met with mixed reactions. Some see it as a strategic move to revive his political career, while others believe he was influenced by the Congress's recent gains in Haryana. Regardless of the reasons, his return has certainly added a dramatic twist to the Haryana elections. The Congress hopes Tanwar's presence will energize its campaign and help it dethrone the BJP after a decade in power. However, the BJP is likely to capitalize on the perceived betrayal and present Tanwar's switch as a sign of instability and opportunism. The outcome of the Haryana elections will reveal whether Tanwar's return proves to be a boon or a bane for the Congress.
Source: Haryana election: Who is Ashok Tanwar, who endorsed BJP, then switched to Congress in an hour?