Durgapal, a Congress rebel in the 2012 assembly elections, had successfully contested from the Lalkuan assembly seat as an independent candidate, and is the state’s small and medium enterprises minister.
He, along with other independent MLAs and the BSP, had formed the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), which had later supported the Rawat government.
Rawat termed Durgapal’s joining Congress as a significant move while Durgpal, known to be a close confidante of Indira Hridyesh, another Cabinet minister, assured that he will work for the growth of the Congress.