Two former ministers on Friday returned to Congress after leaving Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).
Taj Mohiuddin and Ghulam Mohammad Saroori rejoined the Congress at the party office today.
They were welcomed back to the party by the AICC general secretary in charge of J&K and Ladakh Naseer Hussain, J&K Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra and other senior leaders.
“The rejoining of these senior leaders has given a major boost to the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir,” said AICC General Secretary Syed Naseer Hussain.
He said this is the beginning and many other prominent figures are in touch with the party leadership and are keen to return to the Congress family.
Taj, a former minister, quit the Congress in August 2022 to join DPAP when Azad quit the Congress.
In August last year, Taj quit the DPAP and unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls as an independent candidate.
Saroori, who also quit Congress in August 2022 to join the DPAP, left Azad’s party after he was denied a mandate to contest from Inderwal. He unsuccessfully contested the seat.
Speaking on the occasion, Taj said, “I believe I had never left Congress, but was on leave. Today I'm back. I have always been a soldier of the Congress.”
He apologized to the workers for leaving the Congress.
J&K Congress President Karra welcomed the return of former ministers, saying their rejoining would significantly strengthen the party.
“Both leaders had a long and meaningful association with the Congress before parting ways. They were with the Congress for a long time and had dedicated themselves to the party’s cause. Later, they left. But today, they have admitted it was a mistake and even apologised for it,” Karra said.