Banihal, Aug 9: Dozens of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers and activists from Gool joined the National Conference (NC) in Banihal on Sunday, with senior party leader and MLA Banihal-Gool Sajjad Shaheen welcoming them into the party fold. Shaheen said the growing support for the NC reflected people’s faith in its politics of development, secularism and protection of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir. Shaheen said the NC, in contrast, had consistently stood for the political, constitutional and democratic rights of the people of J&K. Welcoming the new entrants, he said their decision reflected a desire among political workers for a platform based on “principles, public service and inclusive development”. He called upon NC workers to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and remain connected with people across the constituency.