A day after the Indian Muslim league candidate from Haridwar parliamentary constituency, Asif Hussain joined the Congress, scores of Bahujan Samaj Party leaders — including Subodh Rakesh, Haridwar district Panchayat member — and the brother of suspended BSP MlA and Cabinet Minister Surendra Rakesh, along with Aditya Brijwal, the son of suspended BSP MlA Haridass, joined the Congress in presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat in Dehradun on Monday. According to sources, two more BSP MlAs are expected join the Congress soon.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Congress will become stronger with the new members. “The way to defeating communal forces will become clearer with this development. Cabinet Minister Surendra Rakesh and BSP MlA Haridass are working to strengthen the Congress-led State Government enabling the Government to move ahead with its developmental agenda,” said the Chief Minister.
Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president and Cabinet Minister Yashpal Arya waited for the new entrants to the party but had to leave for a public meet in Tehri. His message was read out by Congress State general secretary Vijay Saraswat in the presence of party State spokesman Surendra Kumar.