Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday joined the Congress after meeting its Vice President Rahul Gandhi, the party said.
The cricketer turned politician had quit the BJP in September 2016, and since then speculation has been rife that Mr Sidhu would be joining Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
On Thursday, January 12, it was reported that Sidhu had met with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to discuss the details of his formal induction to the party.
Mr Gandhi warmly welcomed Sidhu, a former BJP MP from Amritsar, into the party fold at his residence. Mr Sidhu's wife had earlier joined the Congress.
The Congress "welcomes Mr Sidhu and thanks Mr Gandhi, Vice President, Congress Party, for bringing like-minded leaders under the Congress umbrella", party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
The Congress has so far released names of 100 candidates, although it still has to select candidates for the remaining 17 seats for elections to the 117-member assembly.