Congress leader joins PDP

Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Mangat Ram Sharma Sunday joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).Terming the PDP a "movement to establish a new system of justice and equality", party patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed said his party has emerged as a genuine and credible voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through its convictions and visionary policies.

A function was organised to welcome Mangat Ram Sharma, who joined the PDP along with his elder son Subash Sharma.

Sayeed said it was a matter of satisfaction that the PDP, in a short span of time, has emerged as a strong political force in the state.

He said the PDP's agenda of peace and development was now seen positively across the Kashmir valley and in Jammu and Ladakh regions.

"The formation of the PDP in 1999 was a turning point in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The party has emerged as the biggest political force of the state," he said.