Former Hamirpur MP Suresh Chandel joins Congress

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 22

A former state president of the BJP and three-time MP from Hamirpur, Suresh Chandel, joined the Congress on Monday. 

Chandel belongs to Bilaspur under Hamirpur Parliamentary segment. He had been keen to get a ticket from Hamirpur against sitting BJP MP Anurag Thakur.

Chandel switched sides after being unhappy with the BJP for ignoring him and not giving him his due. His political career got a major setback after his name figured in the cash-for-query scam. His joining the Congress is a major setback to the BJP as he is a familiar face in the area.

Chandel joined the Congress in the presence of AICC president Rahul Gandhi and party in-charge for Himachal Rajni Patil.

Repeated efforts by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and other senior BJP leaders to placate and woo Chandel failed as he finally bid adieu to the BJP.