Ajatshatru Singh, the son of senior Congress leader Dr Karan Singh, joined the National Conference here on Saturday.

“It is like a homecoming for Ajatshatru,” said National Conference president Omar Abdullah at a function. “He left NC because of some misgivings which I could not address. His return will augur well not only for the party but also for the people of the state.”

“It is the beginning of a new dawn (yeh ek nai subah ki shuruwat hai),” said Dr Farooq Abdullah, patron of the party.

Ajatshatru, the grandson of last Maharaja of the state Hari Singh, left NC after it lost in the 2002 elections and joined the Congress. He remained a minister during the NC regime prior to 2002. “I feel like an estranged brother who is now back with the family,” said Ajatshatru. “I think the NC is the only party which can work for the state development.”

Omar ruled out alliance with the Congress in the next Assembly elections.