Srinagar, Jan 06 (KNS): Former chief minister Tara Chand and former minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed were among 17 leaders, who had joined former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad led Democratic Azad Party, joined back the Congress party today in New Delhi.

As per details available with Kashmir News Service (KNS) at least 17 leaders who had joined Azad led party joiner back the Congress at party headquarters in New Delhi today.

Those who joined back the party include deputy chief minister Tara Chand, former minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, former MLA Thakur Balwan Singh, Mohd. Muzaffar Parray, Mohinder Bhardwaj, Bhushan Dogra, Vinod Sharma, Narinder Sharma, Naresh Sharma, Ambrish Magotra, Subash Bhagat, Santosh Manhas, Badri Nath Sharma, Varun Magotra, Anuradha Sharma, Vijay Targotra and Chander Prabha Sharma.

The leaders joined the party today following which the leaders addressed a press conference at party headquarters which was addressed by KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Rajani Patil and Shri Pawan Khera at 11.30 am today.

Meanwhile, while speaking at the presser, Tara Chand said his biggest mistake was to leave the Congress party and all of them realised that they were deceived.

“We were deceived into joining the Azad led party as some people are hell bent to divide the secular vote in the country. We realised this was going to happen in J&K also so we decided to join back the Congress party,” he said.

Notably, Tara Chand along with two leaders were expelled by Ghulam Nabi Azad in December last year over allegations of anti-party activities. (KNS)