Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2018: Dausa MP Harish Meena leaves BJP ship for Congress

In a major blow to the BJP, weeks before assembly polls in state, its sitting MP Harish Chandra Meena has joined the Congress. Meena could be a Congress answer to Rajya Sabha MP Kirori Lal Meena, a tribal leader, who wields a strong clout in the eastern belt of Rajasthan.

A former Director General of Police, Meena had joined the BJP in 2014 after quitting his service. The buzz in the inner circle of the BJP this time was that he wanted to contest Mahua assembly constituency. When he was denied the ticket he reportedly switched sides and joined the Congress, in a formal ceremony in New Delhi, on Wednesday.

His exit is being seen as a big blow to the BJP, which is fighting for a second consecutive term in Rajasthan.

Meena' joining Congress could be called a master-stroke of PCC chief Sachin Pilot. Since Kirori's Ghar Vapsi (homecoming) in the BJP, it was being speculated that he would be playing a major role in consolidating Meena votes in the favour of the party, particularly in over 20 seats spread over the seats in the eastern districts. With Harish Meena joining the party Congress has found a face to counter Kirori.

"I am happy that Harish Meena has decided to join the Congress. I welcome him to the party," said Gehlot.

Now The Brothers Are In Same Camp

• Namo Narayan Meena is a Congress leader and has twice served as MoS in two Manmohan governments.
• Both brothers served as top boss of the state police as DGP. They contested from rival parties in 2014 polls.