Uttarakhand: BJP, BSP Leaders Defect to Congress Ahead of Next Year's Elections

• Several BJP and BSP leaders in Uttarakhand have joined the Congress party.
• Notable defectors include two-time BJP MLA Rajkumar Thukral and two-time BSP MLA Narayan Pal.
• Former BJP MLA Bheemlal Arya and former Roorkee Mayor Gaurav Goyal also joined Congress.
• Congress stated these additions will strengthen the party ahead of early next year's assembly elections.
• The move is seen as a counter to BJP's own joining programs, particularly significant due to Thukral's influence.