Six Politicians, Including Three Former MLAs, Join Congress in Delhi
In a significant political development, six prominent politicians, including three former MLAs, joined the Congress party at an event held at the party headquarters in Delhi on Saturday. The move is seen as a boost for the Congress in Uttarakhand, with leaders asserting it marks the beginning of a shift in the state's political landscape ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
Key Figures Who Joined the Congress
The individuals who joined the party include:
- Rajkumar Thukral, a two-time MLA who left the BJP after being denied a ticket in the 2022 elections. He contested as an independent and finished third in the Rudrapur seat, which was won by BJP's Shiv Arora, defeating Congress candidate Meena Sharma by a margin of 20,000 votes.
- Bhim Lal Arya, a former MLA who won the Ghansali seat in 2012 on a BJP ticket. He later contested on a Congress ticket in 2017 and as an independent in 2022, finishing third on both occasions.
- Narayan Pal, a two-time BSP MLA elected from the Sitarganj assembly constituency in Udham Singh Nagar in 2002 and 2007. He made unsuccessful attempts to win the seat in 2012 and 2022.
- Gaurav Goyal, the former mayor of Roorkee.
- Lakhan Singh, a former block pramukh from Bhimtal.
- Anuj Gupta, a former chairman of the Mussoorie Nagar Palika.
Event Details and Political Implications
The joining ceremony took place in the presence of the Congress party's state in-charge Kumari Selja, state chief Ganesh Godiyal, and opposition leader Yashpal Arya. Yashpal Arya declared that the bugle for the 2027 assembly elections has been sounded, stating, "The response Congress is receiving makes it clear that people are not pleased with the performance of the BJP government and its policies."
Congress state chief spokesperson Garima Dasauni emphasized the significance of this development, telling TOI, "This is just the beginning, and many more are willing to join the Congress. People now realise that it is time for change in Uttarakhand and that the Pushkar Singh Dhami government is on its way out." She added that those who joined on Saturday are "influential figures who could have a significant impact in the 2027 assembly polls."
Background and Electoral Context
The political trajectories of the new joiners highlight shifting allegiances in Uttarakhand. Rajkumar Thukral's departure from the BJP after being sidelined in the 2022 elections underscores internal party dynamics, while Bhim Lal Arya's varied candidacies reflect ongoing realignments. Narayan Pal's history with the BSP adds to the diverse political backgrounds now converging under the Congress banner.
This event comes amid broader political movements in the state, with the Congress aiming to capitalize on perceived dissatisfaction with the ruling BJP. The inclusion of local leaders like Lakhan Singh and Anuj Gupta is expected to strengthen the party's grassroots presence in key regions such as Bhimtal and Mussoorie.
As Uttarakhand gears up for future electoral battles, this influx of experienced politicians into the Congress could reshape competition, with party leaders confident that it signals a growing momentum against the incumbent government.
