Premium

Former Congress MLA Sampat Singh returns to INLD after 16 years, appointed patron

Sampat Singh, a 76-year-old former Haryana minister, submitted his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge via email on Sunday.

INLD president Abhay Chautala welcomed Sampat Singh into the party in Chandigarh on Wednesday. (Photo special arrangement)

Just days after resigning from the Congress and making serious allegations against its leadership in Haryana, six-time former MLA Sampat Singh rejoined the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Wednesday. A trusted associate of the late Chaudhary Devi Lal, Singh had parted ways with the INLD 16 years ago.

The 76-year-old former minister submitted his resignation to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge via email on the evening of November 2. His exit came a month after he publicly criticised the appointment of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in Haryana.

Welcoming Singh back into the party, INLD president Abhay Singh Chautala described the occasion as a significant moment for the party. He noted that Sampat Singh had served as both minister and MLA long before Chautala himself entered politics, and praised his deep organisational experience. In recognition of his stature and contributions, Chautala said, Singh has been appointed as the patron of the party.

Speaking on his return, Sampat Singh acknowledged the INLD’s current strength of just two MLAs but expressed unwavering commitment to rebuilding the party as the most formidable alternative to the ruling BJP. He said that when the INLD returns to power, its policies would focus on inclusive development, with education and healthcare receiving top priority.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram