Srinagar, Jul 22 (KNO): Former Sangrama MLA Shoaib Nabi Lone on Wednesday returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, with PDP president Mehbooba Mufti describing his homecoming as "Ghar Vapasi."
Welcoming him back, Mehbooba, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) termed his return a "Ghar Vapasi," saying the party was pleased to have him rejoin its ranks.
Addressing reporters after joining the PDP, Lone thanked Mehbooba Mufti and said the party was where both he and his late father, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Lone, had begun their political journey.
"I am thankful to the party president, Mehbooba Mufti. This is the place where my father and I started our political career. I will do my best to represent the party's core agenda and take the vision of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to the people. PDP is a movement and I will work to strengthen it further," he said.
Referring to his recent exit from the Awami Ittehad Party, Lone said he wanted to clarify that AIP is not a recognised political party as it has not been recognised by the Election Commission.
"I fought the Assembly elections as an independent candidate," he said, adding that he had supported and campaigned for Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, AIP General Secretary Prince Parveez termed Lone's remarks about the party as his personal views, saying he had left the organisation and was free to express his opinion.
"Whatever he has said are his personal views. He has left the party and can say anything," Prince told KNO.
He, however, said there was no bitterness between the party and the Lone. "His approach towards party colleagues has always been brotherly. We don't have any grudges against him", Prince said.
It is noteworthy that the Lone had won the Sangrama Assembly by election in 2006 following the assassination of his father, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Lone, defeating Javid Baig. However, he has not won any election since then.
The PDP is the fourth political party Lone has been associated with. Earlier, he was with the Congress, National Conference and, most recently, the Awami Ittehad Party—(KNO)