Rajasthan BJP MP Harish Chandra Meena joined the Congress on November 14. Mr. Harish Chandra Meena, a former DGP, joined the Congress in the presence of former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot and AICC’s State in-charge Avinash Pande.
“I am happy that Harish Meena has decided to join the Congress in such times. I welcome him in the Congress fold,” Mr. Gehlot said at a press conference about Mr. Harish Chandra Meena who had served as DGP under him.
In 2014, Mr. Harish Chandra Meena defeated his elder brother and senior Congress leader Namonarain Meena from the Dausa Lok Sabha seat. Mr. Namonarain Meena came third in the contest.
Mr. Harish Chandra Meena defeated his nearest rival Kirori Lal Meena, who was then a candidate of National People’s Party by a margin of 45,404 votes. Mr. Kirori Lal Meena is now a BJP Rajya Sabha MP.
Mr. Kirori Lal Meena said Mr. Harish Chandra Meena joining the Congress will have no impact on tribal votes in Dausa and its nearby regions in the State polls in December. “There will be no impact. People know who is an opportunist and an opportunist can go anywhere.”
Congress leader and Sapotara MLA Ramesh Meena, said though his party had given a lot to the family of Mr. Namonarain Meena, his brother Mr. Harish Chandra Meena joined the BJP in 2014. “Harish Meena has returned home,” said the Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly. Mr. Ramesh Meena claimed that a few more BJP rebel leaders would join the Congress.
Elections to the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will be held on December 7.
