The announcement was made by AICC general secretary Madhavrao Scindia here at a press conference at the party headquarters in the presence of RJP chief and former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela Vaghela and other RJP leaders including former chief minister, Dilip Parikh and Madhusudan Mistry, who earlier had a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

AICC treasurer Ahmed Patel, Gujarat PCC president C D Patel and State Legislature party leader Amarsinh Chaudhary were also present at the press conference.

The formal merger of the RJP into the Congress would take place at a rally in Ahmedabad on July 17 which will be addressed by Gandhi, Scindia said.

Vaghlea made a scathing attack on the BJP and Vajpayee Government accusing it of mishandling the situation in Kargil leading to deathsof a large number of Armymen.

Replying to a question, he said he would "love" to contest against Home Minister L K Advani from the Gandhinagar constituency if the party high command permitted him.

Stating that he has merged with the Congress without any pre-conditions, Vaghela said the step has been taken to avoid division of secular vote which always benefitted the BJP.

Vaghela shot to limelight a few years ago after he rebelled against the BJP leadership and became the chief minister with Congress support. Later, he formed the RJP.

Scindia expressed confidence that the RJD merger would certainly strengthen the Congress, especially in Gujarat and said there was "a spirit of great cooperation and amity" at a joint meeting he held with the State leaders of the two parties.

He said the party has "fully endorsed" the merger of the RJP into the Congress.