Several leaders from Azad’s party re-join Congress

More than 20 leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, most of them from Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party, joined the Congress in the presence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge here on Monday. Kharge said the Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir is being strengthened day by day.
“We welcome several prominent leaders who joined us today. It is an indication of how the people of Jammu and Kashmir want the Jammu and Kashmir Congress to take the lead in addressing their issues and ushering peace and progress,” the Congress president tweeted. The party also attacked Azad, saying “Mr. GNA himself gives new evidence of his DNA mutation by saying that those opposing Article 370 abrogation are ignorant of the situation on the ground’.”
“This from a man who led the charge against the abrogation in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019! I suppose he needs to justify the very generous extension given to him to continue staying in his sprawling bungalow in New Delhi, long after he has exited Parliament,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said. “Earlier this morning, 21 J&K leaders from the DAP (Disappearing Azad Party) rejoined the Congress, including one who filed a defamation case against me on behalf of Ghulam Nabi Azad,” Ramesh said.
Congress president Kharge, AICC general secretary in charge of organisation K C Venugopal, AICC in charge of state Rajani Patil, and Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani were also present on the occasion.
“The INC family is growing from strength to strength in Jammu and Kashmir! Today, 21 leaders from various parties joined the Congress fold in the presence of INC President Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge ji, AICC In-Charge Rajani Patil ji, and J&K PCC President Sh. Vikar Rasool Wani ji,” Venugopal tweeted, along with photos of the joining-in at Kharge’s residence.