Set back for BJP as former Hamirpur BJP MP Suresh Chandel joins Congress

In a major set back to the BJP a day before the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, its former Himachal Pradesh president and Hamirpur parliamentraian Suresh Chandel on Monday joined the Congress in presence of Rahul Gandhi in national capital Delhi.

Himachal Congress president Kuldeep Rathore and the party's state in charge Rajini Patil were also present during the ocassion. The development came days after Chandel's meeting with AICC Treasurer Ahmed Patel and general secretary KC Venugopal.

Delhi: Former BJP MP from Hamirpur, Suresh Chandel joined Congress in presence of party President Rahul Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/qOOfeILmDO

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

Born on March 19, 1960, Chandel was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a three time MP from the Hamirpur constituency of Himachal Pradesh. He represented the constituency in the 12th, 13th and 14th Lok Sabha.

Chandel also served as the president of Himachal BJP from 1998 to 2000 and before switching his loyality to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, he was the national vice president of BJP Kisan Morcha. He was also the Governing body member of Indian council of Agriculture research. Chandel had also served as the Organisation General Secretary of Himachal BJP from 1988 to 1998.