In a major development in Congress fold, former minister Vijay Singh Mankotia is set to return to party fold. The Kangra leader, who had opened a crusade against Virbhadra Singh and even had released a controversial CD, has been camping in Delhi for the last few days and has had a series of meetings with Central Congress leaders.

Decks were finally cleared for his re-entry today after he had a meeting with AICC general secretary and Himachal party affairs in charge Birender Singh Chaudhary in the presence of Virbhadra Singh this afternoon. Mankotia and Virbhadra Singh had a one-on-one meeting earlier and issues were sorted out.

With Mankotia’s re-entry in the Congress, the party is certain to field him from Shahpur. With Mankotia and Virbhadra Singh deciding to bury the hatchet, equations within the Congress seems to change in Kangra district, where party can further strengthen its base.