Srinagar, May 19 (Inditop) National Conference (NC) rebel Ghulam Hassan Khan, who contested and won the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat as an independent, Tuesday denied having rejoined the party.
The newly-elected MP clarified that he has only “extended unconditional support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the behest of the NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah.”
“I want to clarify that I have not joined any political party and continue to maintain my independent status. However, I extend my unconditional support to the UPA coalition,” Khan said in a statement here.
He had addressed a press conference at the residence of Abdullah here Monday, announcing his decision to rejoin the NC.
According to sources, Khan’s clarification follows the Congress’ displeasure at Khan – who had defeated the party’s candidate, P. Namgyal by over 3,000 votes – rejoining the NC.
However, addressing the media Monday, Farooq Abdullah had made it clear that Khan’s rejoining the NC had the prior approval of the Congress.