Former NC leader joins PDP

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Opposition PDP on Thursday received a shot in the arm when a former NC MLA and three Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) leaders joined it.
    
PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed welcomed Sheikh Mohammad Rafi, a former MLA from Shopian, and three PDF leaders Ali Mohammad, Nazir Ahmad Itoo and Ghulam Hassan Bhat, who fought last assembly polls unsuccessfully, into the party fold at a function here.
    
Sayeed said the joining of the leaders "acknowledges the credible leadership and pro-people agenda of PDP" and added that the doors of the party are open to all "like-minded individuals, groups and parties".
    
He said the party is attempting to safeguard the distinct regional political character of the state. "The challenging task of securing sustainable peace, dignity for my people and prosperity for our future generations is yet to be accomplished."