Uttarakhand polls: Former state Congress chief expelled, likely to join BJP today

Former chief of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee Kishore Upadhyay, who has been expelled for "anti-party activities" may join the Bharatiya Janata Party today.

In another setback to the Congress ahead of the assembly elections, former chief of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee Kishore Upadhyay may join the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday, said sources.

The Congress on Wednesday had dismissed Kishore Upadhyay from its primary membership for six years, accusing him of being involved in “anti-party activities”. In a letter addressed to Upadhyay, Uttarakhand PCC in-charge Devender Yadav said that the dismissal had come after several warnings.

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The move was expected as Upadhyay was removed from all positions in the Congress for anti-party activities. Devender Yadav, in a letter to Upadhyay, had accused him of "hobnobbing" with the BJP and other political parties.

"There is widespread anger with the maladministration, misgovernance and all-round corruption aided and abetted by the BJP leadership. It is the solemn duty of each one of us to rise to the challenge and serve the Devbhumi of Uttarakhand as also its people. Sadly, you have been hobnobbing with the BJP and other political parties with a view to undermine this fight and weaken the cause of the people," Yadav had said.

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A former MLA who had won the Tehri assembly constituency in 2002 and 2007, Upadhyay was the president of the Congress' Uttarakhand unit from 2014 to 2017. He had met the BJP's election in-charge for Uttarakhand Pralhad Joshi during the latter's visit to the state earlier this month. This has fuelled speculation about the possibility of Upadhyay joining the saffron party.