Uttarakhand BJP leader Rautela joins Congress ahead of assembly polls

In what is being seen as a shot in the arm for ruling Congress ahead of the Assembly polls in Uttarakhand, influential Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Ranikhet, Narendra Rautela, has joined the party along with his supporters.

Rautela who joined the party at Congress office in Dehradun on Wednesday, in the presence of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) president Kishore Upadhyay was welcomed into the party fold by Chief Minister Harish Rawat, saying it will strengthen the party.

Political observers in Dehradun feel that Congress has made a dent into the BJP citadel of Ranikhet represented in the state assembly currently by Uttarkhand BJP president Ajay Bhatt.

However, BJP described Rautela's defection to Congress as "good riddance" for the party.

"Rautela's departure will make no difference to BJP. Even while he was with us, he worked for Congress. It is good riddance for BJP ," state BJP spokesman Munna Singh Chauhan said.

Countering the perception that Rautela's defection to Congress was a shot in the arm for the party in power ahead of assembly polls in the state, the BJP spokesman said Rautela seldom visits his area and has lost his support base.

Assembly polls in Uttarakhand are due next year.