NEW DELHI: In a boost to the Congress ahead of Uttarakhand assembly polls, former international shooter Jaspal Rana Tuesday joined the party after quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Rana's admission into the party was approved by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Tuesday.
"Congress president Sonia Gandhi has approved the proposal to admit Shri Jaspal Rana, a well-known shooter, into the party," a party statement said.
Sources said the Asian Games gold medallist was upset with the BJP leadership over denial of ticket in the assembly polls. He is a close relative of former BJP president Rajnath Singh.
Rana had contested as BJP candidate from Tehri constituency in the state against Vijay Bahuguna of Congress in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls but lost.
Congress leaders said that Rana would be among the campaigners for the party in the state.