BJP strongman joins Congress ahead of Tehri bypoll

"I returned to the Congress as I realised that the party I served for over two decades was not taking collective decisions and violating democratic norms," said Kandari, who joined the party at an impressive rally here in the presence of senior party leaders including Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and AICC incharge of party's affairs in the state, Chaudhry Virendra Singh.

Kandari rejoined the Congress after a gap of 21 years, during which he was a BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Assemblies for consecutive 12 years and a cabinet minister in BJP government in Uttarakhand led by Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

 

Unhappy with the BJP leadership for not nominating him from Tehri seat and inducting his detractor and Congress leader from Rudraprayag Virendra Bisht into the party, Kandari had sent his resignation to state party chief Bishan Singh Chufal three days ago giving rise to speculation that he might switch loyalties.

Welcoming him into the party fold in the rally held here to canvass support for Congress' Tehri bypoll candidate and CM's son Saket Bahuguna, Chaudhry Virendra Singh said Kandari's entry will brighten the party's prospects in Tehri.

State BJP leaders were downplaying the issue of Kandari's unhappiness with the party leadership for the last few days while trying to pacify him and dissuade him from quitting the party.

However, efforts by the BJP to placate Kandari eventually failed as he joined the Congress along with scores of his supporters at the rally.

Welcoming him into the party, Saket said entry of a veteran like Kandari into the party will further strengthen the party's chances of a victory from Tehri seat.

Chaudhry Virendra Singh earlier said desertion of the BJP by senior leaders like Kandari reflected their disillusionment with the saffron party.