Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Hindu
The Hindu
National
Special Correspondent

Uttarakhand Minister Yashpal Arya, son join Congress

Uttarakhand BJP leader Yashpal Arya with his son MLA Sanjeev Arya join Congress Party in presence of party leaders Harish Rawat, Randeep Surjewala and K.C. Venugopal in New Delhi, October 11, 2021 (Source: PTI)

Transport Minister in the BJP-led Uttarakhand Government Yashpal Arya and his son Sanjeev Arya, who is a legislator from Nainital, joined the Congress on Monday. Uttarakhand Assembly poll is scheduled early next year.

This is a ‘ghar wapasi’ (home-coming) of sorts for Mr. Yashpal Arya who had been the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president for seven years before joining the BJP. A prominent Dalit face in the State, he is a six-time MLA.

Speaking at his induction, Congress general secretary (Communications) Randeep Surjewala, said that Mr. Yashpal Arya forwarded his resignation to the Governor on Monday morning, following which he met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi to formally join the party.

Mr. Yashpal Arya said that he felt relieved to be back in his home — the Congress. “Congress has a history of sacrifice, a legacy that we are proud to carry forward. Democracy in the country can be strengthened only if the Congress is strengthened,” he said.

Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said the father-son duo’s return to the party in a way showed which way the wind was blowing in the State. “Today is a home-coming for both of them. When they met Mr. Gandhi this morning, he told them that their return to the party will strengthen the party in the State,” Mr. Venugopal said.

Senior party leader Harish Rawat also indicated that more BJP leaders were likely to join the party. “Mr. Gandhi asked Mr. Arya, what is the difference between the BJP and the Congress. Mr. Arya said that the Congress has inner party democracy, which is completely absent in the BJP,” Mr. Rawat said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.