Punjab unit of NCP merges with Congress

The NCP today suffered a setback in Punjab as its state president Baldev Singh announced the dissolution of the state unit and its merger with Congress.

Singh made the announcement here in the presence of former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, who welcomed him into the party fold.

The move came even as the party led by Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar started its national convention in Delhi. Asked by media there yesterday whether the party could merge with Congress in future, NCP national general secretary DP Tripathi had said "NCP is there to emerge and not merge".

The state unit leadership of NCP has decided to merge into the Congress unconditionally, Singh said.

Amarinder honoured Singh and his supporters by offering them robes of honours.

Moga district unit BSP president Saathi Sohan Lal along with his supporters also joined the Congress.