New Delhi: Former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and ex-Delhi minister Yoganand Shastri returned to the Congress fold on Saturday in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge Deepak Babaria. Shastri had previously joined the NCP in 2021 after leaving Congress.

Shastri explained his decision, stating, "There is no special reason. I did not go far, I was sitting nearby and the ideology of the party I went to (NCP) is similar to that of Congress." Expressing his views on the current political scenario, Shastri emphasized the need for individuals who can safeguard democracy and the Constitution, suggesting the possibility of other parties coming together in the future.

"The country needs people who can save democracy and the Constitution, and maybe tomorrow other parties will also come together. Everyone should work together, and this is the spirit of the Congress and the NCP," Shastri remarked. A former speaker of the Delhi assembly, Shastri is a prominent leader in the Delhi Congress. During the one-and-a-half decade rule of former Delhi chief minister late Sheila Dikshit, he held various important positions. Shastri represented the Malviya Nagar Assembly constituency twice and the Mehrauli Assembly constituency once.

Expressing his gratitude to Deepak Babaria for encouraging him to rejoin Congress, Shastri emphasized the importance of political unity during a transitional period in Indian politics. "I am grateful to Deepak Babaria who insisted I join the Congress. I believe we should all get together because politics is going through a transition period. If we don’t come under one umbrella at this time, then it will be unfortunate for the country."

Deepak Babaria, welcoming Shastri back to the Congress, expressed confidence that his return would significantly boost the party. "He is adept at encouraging youngsters and has a value system and goodwill in the field. He has been working in Delhi for several years, and everyone recognizes him." The NCP is part of the alliance with Congress under the INDIA bloc. Additionally, the party has reached a seat-sharing agreement in Maharashtra along with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Voting for seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi is scheduled for May 25.

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