Six leaders from Uttarakhand BJP join Congress as party steps up attack on Dhami-led government

Six leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including three former MLAs from Uttarakhand, joined the Congress party in New Delhi on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in the presence of party general secretary and State in-charge Kumari Selja.

Former MLAs are Rajkumar Thukral, Narayan Pal and Bhimlal Arya; the other three are Gaurav Goyal, Lakhan Singh and Anuj Gupta.

Addressing a press conference, Ms Selja said the leaders had confidence in the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Rahul Gandhi. He claimed that public confidence in the Congress has increased amid growing dissatisfaction with the BJP government in the state.

Alleging widespread corruption under the BJP government, Ms. Selja said the ruling dispensation had “stepped back” following protests by Congress workers, who had significant public support.

He also said that attempts to “burnish” Prime Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s image have failed and the “reality” of the leadership has been exposed before the public.

Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Ms. Selja said the Congress expects positive electoral gains in the state as public support continues to grow.

The inauguration of the six leaders took place at the party headquarters in the presence of Uttarakhand Congress leaders, including Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ganesh Godiyal, Opposition Leader Yashpal Arya, election campaign committee president Pritam Singh, election management committee president Harak Singh Rawat and former PCC president Karan Mahara.