BJP Faces Setback as Ashok Tanwar Returns to Congress Before Haryana Elections

The Political Homecoming 

In a significant political development, former Member of Parliament Ashok Tanwar rejoined the Congress party on Thursday, October 3, 2024, dealing a blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just weeks before the Haryana assembly elections. The switch occurred during a Congress rally in Mahendragarh, where party leader Rahul Gandhi formally welcomed Tanwar back into the party fold. 

A Journey Through Multiple Parties 

Tanwar's political journey has been marked by multiple transitions. Starting his political career with Congress at age 17 in 1993, he served as NSUI president in 2003 and Youth Congress national president in 2005. After leaving Congress in 2019, he formed his own party called Apna Bharat Morcha, followed by brief stints with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He had joined the BJP as recently as January 20, 2024. 

Electoral Impact and Constituency Influence

The move is particularly significant as Tanwar holds considerable influence in nine assembly constituencies within the Sirsa Lok Sabha seat:

• Sirsa
• Fatehabad
• Ellenabad
• Rania
• Kalanwali
• Dabwali
• Ratia
• Tohana
• Narwana 

These constituencies have a substantial Scheduled Caste voter base, making Tanwar's switch potentially impactful for both parties. 

Recent Electoral Performance

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tanwar contested from Sirsa on a BJP ticket but lost to Congress candidate Kumari Selja by a margin of 2,68,497 votes. His return to Congress could reshape political equations in the region, particularly affecting BJP's outreach to SC voters.