New Delhi, June 26: The Sharad Pawar-led NCP received a jolt today as its Uttar Pradesh unit today joined Congress saying the need of the hour was to strengthen secular forces. The state NCP chief Siraz Mehdi led the exodus at a get-together at the AICC headquarters attended by several senior Congress leaders, including Nawal Kishore Sharma, Moti Lal Vora, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Arjun Singh and UPCC president Jagadambika Pal.

Mehdi claimed all office-bearers and workers of the NCP unit had joined the Congress.

Later, those who joined Congress also called on party president Sonia Gandhi.

Bureau Report