Haryana BJP leader's dramatic 'ghar wapsi' to Congress at Rahul Gandhi's rally

Ashok Tanwar was campaigning for the BJP till around 1.45 pm today, as he tweeted in support of party candidate from Nalwa. Barely an hour later, he was seen sharing a stage with Congress leaders during his 'ghar wapsi'.

In Short

• Ashok Tanwar was still campaigning for BJP today before silence period kicks in
• Makes surprise appearance at Congress rally, dramatic 'ghar wapsi' follows
• Tanwar joined BJP earlier this year, now back with Congress after 5 years

At around 1.45 pm on Thursday, former BJP MP Ashok Tanwar was campaigning for his party's candidate ahead of the Haryana Assembly election. Just an hour later, Tanwar made a surprise appearance at a Congress rally and rejoined the party in the presence of Rahul Gandhi.

The move comes just two days before the Haryana Assembly election and is a setback for the BJP, which is hoping to retain power in the state.

On the last day of campaigning for the Assembly election, Tanwar was still rallying for the BJP till the afternoon. A social media post on X showed him seeking support for BJP's Randhir Panihar, who is contesting from Nalwa seat. He also said that BJP will form a government in Haryana under the leadership of Nayab Saini.

Barely an hour later, Tanwar appeared on stage at a Congress rally, and was warmly welcomed back into the fold.

Rahul Gandhi was addressing a rally in Mahendragarh district and as he concluded his address, the crowd was asked to wait for a special announcement. Moments later, Tanwar, who had switched to the BJP earlier this year, made a surprise appearance on stage.

His return to the Congress was marked with the announcement, “Aaj unki ghar wapsi ho gayi hai” (Today, he has returned home to the Congress).

Ashok Tanwar, a prominent Dalit leader and former Haryana Congress president, had left the party in 2019 after a fallout with senior Congress figure Bhupinder Singh Hooda. His rejoining, just before the campaigning deadline for the October 5 Assembly elections, is expected to give the Congress a crucial boost as it looks to unseat the BJP in the state.

On stage, Tanwar was warmly greeted by Rahul Gandhi and Hooda, who embraced him back into the party with a pat on the back. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal was also present for the announcement.

Ashok Tanwar’s political journey has been eventful over the past few years. After leaving the Congress in 2019, Tanwar briefly joined the Trinamool Congress before switching to the Aam Aadmi Party in 2022. He had joined the BJP earlier this year.

His return to the Congress comes at a critical moment and is likely to energise the party's efforts in the upcoming polls.

The Assembly election will be held in a single-phase in Haryana on October 5. The counting of votes will be held on October 8.