NEW DELHI: In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming state elections, six leaders from the Uttarakhand BJP, including three former MLAs, joined the Congress party in New Delhi on Saturday.
The induction took place at the party headquarters in the presence of Congress general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja, along with senior state Congress leaders.
Who Joined the Congress
| Category | Names |
|---|---|
| Former MLAs | Rajkumar Thukral, Narayan Pal, Bhimlal Arya |
| Other Leaders | Gaurav Goyal, Lakhan Singh, Anuj Gupta |
The three former MLAs—Rajkumar Thukral, Narayan Pal, and Bhimlal Arya—bring significant grassroots experience to the Congress fold.
Congress’s Reaction
Addressing a press conference, Kumari Selja said the leaders had reposed faith in the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Rahul Gandhi.
She claimed that the public’s trust in the Congress was rising amid growing dissatisfaction with the BJP government in the state.
| Congress Allegations | Details |
|---|---|
| Corruption | Alleged widespread corruption under the BJP government. |
| Image Polishing | Attempts to “polish” the image of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had failed. |
| Public Support | Protests by Congress workers had received significant public support, putting the ruling dispensation “on the back foot.” |
Selja expressed confidence about the party’s prospects, saying the Congress expected positive electoral gains as public support continued to grow.
Congress Leadership Present
The induction ceremony was attended by key Uttarakhand Congress leaders, including:
- Ganesh Godiyal (Pradesh Congress Committee president)
- Yashpal Arya (Leader of the Opposition)
- Pritam Singh (election campaign committee chairman)
- Harak Singh Rawat (election management committee head)
- Karan Mahara (former PCC president)
Political Context
The defections come at a critical time for Uttarakhand, which is preparing for state elections. The BJP currently holds power in the state under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, with the Congress seeking to mount a strong challenge.
