A month after quitting NCP, Tariq Anwar joins Congress
What's the story
Tariq Anwar, who quit the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) last month, joined the Congress on Saturday. Anwar met Congress President Rahul Gandhi at the latter's Tughlaq Lane residence and joined the party. He is expected to make a formal announcement about the same, later in the day. Anwar, a former MP from Katihar Lok Sabha constituency, was accompanied by his supporters.
Congress to NCP
In 1990s, Anwar left Congress to form NCP
Anwar, a prominent Muslim leader in Bihar, held the post of NCP's General Secretary. Notably, in the 1990s, he was the President of the Bihar Congress unit but gradually drifted from the grand old party. Along with Sharad Pawar and late PA Sangma, Tanwar had formed the NCP. Back then he had protested the appointment of Sonia Gandhi as AICC president because of her 'foreign' birth.
Quitting NCP
Upset with Pawar's remarks on Rafale, Anwar left NCP
In September, Anwar left NCP and resigned from Lok Sabha as he was upset with Pawar. Pawar's statements defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Rafale Deal didn't go down well with Anwar, and he left the party he founded. However, Pawar said his statements were misconstrued and he never supported the PM or gave him a clean chit.
Twitter Post
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi welcomes Anwar
Congress President @RahulGandhi welcomes Shri @itariqanwar into the Congress family. pic.twitter.com/N54VkAQpJJ
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 27, 2018