In a significant political development, former Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, seeking to broaden the ruling party’s support base in the state. Tanwar, a prominent Dalit leader, made his entry into the BJP in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. During the event, he commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Tanwar’s political journey has been marked by shifts, having left the Congress in 2019, subsequently joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2022. However, he recently resigned from the AAP, citing concerns over a potential alliance between the party and the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Prior to his stint with the AAP, Tanwar had even founded his own political party and briefly aligned with the Trinamool Congress.
The BJP sees Tanwar’s inclusion as a strategic move to consolidate votes in Haryana, where the Jats constitute the most populous caste. Traditionally, the Jats have been perceived as leaning towards the Congress in many parts of the state. With Assembly polls on the horizon later this year, the BJP aims to leverage Tanwar’s influence to strengthen its position.
Haryana, under BJP rule since 2014 with Chief Minister Khattar at the helm, is gearing up for both state and national elections. The party is optimistic that Tanwar’s entry will bolster its efforts to secure electoral victories, especially in regions where the Congress has traditionally held sway.
As the political landscape in Haryana undergoes shifts and alliances, Tanwar’s move to the BJP is anticipated to play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming political scenario, with implications for both state and national politics.
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