Jammu, 21-03-2024: Former Member of Parliament (MP) Lal Singh received an exuberant welcome in Jammu upon his return to the Congress party, with hundreds of party workers rallying around him. Lal Singh, a former minister and prominent figure in Kathua district, rejoined the Congress at its Delhi headquarters, prompting speculation that he might contest against BJP heavyweight Jitendra Singh for the Udhampur parliamentary seat in the upcoming elections, scheduled for April 19.
Accompanied by his wife, former legislator Kanta Andotra, and Jammu and Kashmir Congress working president Raman Bhalla, Lal Singh was greeted by enthusiastic supporters and party leaders amidst drumbeats and a flurry of flower petals. Addressing reporters upon his arrival from New Delhi, Singh emphasized that his decision to rejoin the Congress marked a significant shift in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, portraying it as a substantial move to bolster the opposition against the BJP in the region.
Expressing confidence in the Congress’s electoral prospects, Singh asserted his belief that the party would secure victories in both the Jammu and Udhampur constituencies. Criticizing BJP’s performance, he highlighted issues such as rampant unemployment, rising crime rates, and the alarming prevalence of drug abuse among the youth in the Union Territory.
In a notable announcement, Lal Singh revealed the merger of his party, the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP), with the Congress. Having founded the DSSP and led it alongside his wife, Kanta, Singh’s decision to integrate his outfit with the Congress signaled a consolidation of political forces within the party.
Lal Singh boasts a formidable political resume, having served as a two-time MP from the Udhampur constituency and held ministerial portfolios in health and forest departments in Jammu and Kashmir. He also represented Basohli in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly during his tenure in politics.
While Lal Singh’s return to the Congress was met with enthusiasm within the party ranks, it also stirred controversy. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others, questioned the decision to embrace Singh, citing his past support for the accused in the infamous Kathua rape case. Singh’s resignation from the BJP and the formation of DSSP following his involvement in a rally backing the accused had sparked widespread condemnation.
Despite facing legal troubles, including an arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case involving his wife’s educational trust, Lal Singh remains undeterred. He defended his actions, including his participation in the controversial rally, asserting that his intentions were aimed at defusing tensions rather than endorsing criminal activities.