The Democratic Azad Party (DAP) has suffered yet another major blow on Tuesday, when 60 leaders and workers have deserted the party 2 days ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.
All they joined the Congress afresh at a brief ceremony attended by AICC leader in charge of J&K, Rajni Patil, much to the major embarrassment of DAP supremo Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Patil and J&K Congress president, Vikar Rasool Wani welcomed these outgoing DAP leaders and workers who include former Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Nizamuddin Khatana, his son and former vice chairman of Gujjar and Bakarwal Welfare Board, Gulzar Ahmad Khatana and others.
Former Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, former PCC President and Minister Peerzada Mohd Sayeed and former MLA, Balwan Singh, who returned to the Congress fold early this month were also present.
“With today’s joining of 60 activists, around 70 to 80 percent of the Congress activists, who had switched to the DAP under some influence, have returned to the Congress fold,” Patil told reporters and promised due honour for these leaders and workers in the party.
“The Congress leadership is of the view that they had gone on 2 months leave and are now back to work. We will move forward together and strengthen our party,” she said.
She claimed that more and more leaders from the DAP are rejoining the party in the coming days.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi’s foot march is set to reach Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu from Punjab on Thursday.