In a dramatic turn of events that left many in political circles stunned, former MP Ashok Tanwar, a seasoned politician and once the president of the Haryana Congress, rejoined his old party just two hours after campaigning for a BJP candidate in Haryana. Tanwar’s sudden “ghar wapsi” (homecoming) to Congress during an election rally in Mahendergarh has raised serious questions about his political loyalty and motives.
But is this a case of political opportunism, or is there more to the story? Let’s delve deeper into the timeline of events and understand how Tanwar’s quick party-switching reflects the larger political chess game in Haryana.
Tanwar’s Political Journey: A Career of Switches
To grasp the significance of Tanwar’s latest move, one needs to take a closer look at his political trajectory. Ashok Tanwar, who once held the powerful position of Haryana Congress president, had a fallout with the party in 2019. Disillusioned, he resigned from the Congress and over the next few years, hopscotched across different political outfits.
- In November 2021, he joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a party with significant influence in West Bengal, but far less in Haryana.
- In April 2022, he switched allegiances again, this time joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
- Earlier this year, Tanwar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where he heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and developmental policies.
His latest switch back to Congress comes hours after canvassing votes for a BJP candidate in Safidon, leaving voters and political observers scratching their heads.
Tanwar’s Quick Shift: What Happened in Those Two Hours?
On October 3, 2024, Tanwar was seen passionately campaigning for the BJP’s candidate in Safidon, Jind district. Yet, in a move that shocked everyone, just two hours later, he was seen on stage alongside senior Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, at a rally in Mahendergarh, announcing his return to the Congress fold.
As Rahul Gandhi wrapped up his speech, an announcement was made from the stage, asking the audience to remain seated for a few more minutes. Soon after, Tanwar walked onto the stage, shook hands with Gandhi, and was welcomed back to Congress. Bhupinder Singh Hooda even patted his back, symbolically marking the return of a former adversary.
The timing of his switch is perplexing. After campaigning for the BJP, why would Tanwar rejoin Congress just hours later? Is this a sign of desperation, or a well-calculated political strategy? Is Tanwar simply hedging his bets as the Haryana Assembly elections approach, or is this the result of backroom negotiations between Congress leaders and Tanwar?
A Series of Political Setbacks: Is Tanwar Chasing Relevance?
To fully understand Tanwar’s frequent party-switching, we need to examine his political career in recent years. Once a rising star in the Congress, he faced significant electoral setbacks that likely pushed him to seek new avenues.
- In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Tanwar won the Sirsa (SC) seat, defeating the INLD candidate by 35,499 votes.
- However, in 2014, his fortunes turned. He lost to Charanjeet Singh Rori of the INLD by a margin of 1.15 lakh votes.
- His losing streak continued in 2019, where he was defeated by the BJP’s Sunita Duggal by a whopping 3 lakh votes.
Tanwar’s repeated losses in Lok Sabha elections likely diminished his influence within Congress, prompting him to explore other political platforms in a bid to regain relevance.
His latest move to return to Congress appears to be an attempt to reposition himself ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. With his political stock falling, could Tanwar’s return signal a comeback, or is it simply a last-ditch attempt to stay relevant in the political landscape?
The Opportunism Debate: Can Politicians Be Trusted?
Tanwar’s political zigzagging highlights a larger issue plaguing Indian politics—opportunism. His swift return to Congress raises questions about loyalty, principles, and whether politicians are more concerned with self-interest than serving their constituencies.
Is Tanwar’s sudden flip-flop simply a reflection of the fluid political culture we find ourselves in today, where ideology takes a backseat to personal ambition?
For many voters, such rapid switching from one party to another erodes trust in politicians. A social media storm has already erupted, with some questioning his commitment to any cause, while others are baffled at how Tanwar’s ideological allegiances can shift so drastically within just two hours.
Is it really about the betterment of the people, or just chasing power? More importantly, how will his constituency—the people who once voted for him—perceive these frequent changes? After all, if politicians can switch sides so easily, can they be trusted to make decisions in the best interest of the public?
What Does This Mean for Congress and BJP in Haryana?
For the Congress, Tanwar’s return is seen as a strategic win in the run-up to the Haryana Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is still fresh in the minds of many voters, and adding a former state president back into the fold might help consolidate Congress’ position in the state.
On the other hand, the BJP is left to contemplate how they allowed a prominent face like Tanwar to slip through their fingers just hours after campaigning for them. What does this say about BJP’s internal cohesion, and does this signal growing dissatisfaction within the ranks?
For Bhupinder Singh Hooda, welcoming Tanwar back could be a double-edged sword. Hooda and Tanwar had clashed in the past, with their rivalry even contributing to Tanwar’s exit from the Congress in 2019. Can they truly bury the hatchet, or will old wounds resurface during the campaign?
Will Voters Buy Into Tanwar’s Latest Move?
As Haryana gears up for its upcoming elections, the story of Ashok Tanwar’s whirlwind switcheroo from BJP to Congress will be closely watched. Will voters forgive his political opportunism, or will this move backfire, leaving Tanwar to face further electoral setbacks?
While Tanwar’s latest switch has grabbed headlines, the real question is: Will the people of Haryana buy into his newfound loyalty to Congress, or have his political flip-flops left them disillusioned?
One thing’s for sure: Ashok Tanwar has once again proven that in Indian politics, anything can happen—even a party switch within two hours.