Ashok Tanwar rejoins Congress days before Haryana assembly elections, 4th party switch in 5 years

Former MP Ashok Tanwar has officially rejoined the Congress party, making his comeback during an election rally in Mahendergarh attended by senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Bhupinder Singh Hooda. This return comes just days before the Haryana Assembly elections, where Congress aims to regain power amid intense competition with the ruling BJP.

Tanwar's political journey has seen several shifts in recent years. He served as Haryana Congress president until 2019 when he resigned after internal conflicts. Following his exit, he joined the Trinamool Congress in November 2021, switched to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in April 2022, and recently aligned with the BJP. His recent political maneuvering includes campaigning for a BJP candidate in Safidon hours before rejoining Congress.

The announcement of Tanwar’s return was made from the stage as Rahul Gandhi concluded his speech, marking it as a “ghar vapsi” or homecoming. His presence on stage was warmly received, with Tanwar shaking hands with Gandhi and being welcomed by Hooda. Interestingly, Tanwar had tweeted in support of BJP candidates earlier that morning, highlighting the dramatic nature of his political realignment.

Tanwar's rejoining is anticipated to strengthen Congress's position in Haryana ahead of the upcoming elections, with voting scheduled for Saturday. As Congress pushes for a return to power, the BJP is seeking a third consecutive term, making this political landscape crucial for both parties.