Imran Masood, who left the Congress in 2022 to join the Samajwadi Party and months later defected to the Bahujan Samaj Party, has returned to the Congress arguing that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has transformed the political ambiance in the country.

Masood, an influential politician from western Uttar Pradesh, had shocked the central leadership by quitting the party as he was considered close to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

His return now, despite the rout in the Assembly elections, suggests the Congress has quietly consolidated its position in Uttar Pradesh. In alliance with INDIA partner Samajwadi Party, the Congress is expected to do much better from the state in next year’s general election.

Masood, a former MLA, is expected to contest the Saharanpur Lok Sabha seat.

Unlike others such as Jyotiraditya Scindia and Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had trashed the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family after leaving the party, Masood never said anything negative about Rahul or Priyanka. This was a key circumstance in his return to the party.

“I will remain in the Congress till my death. I feel ashamed that I left the Congress despite Priyanka Gandhi reposing faith in me. I shall apologise to her when I meet,” Masood said on Saturday after joining the party.

“I chose to return to the Congress as Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra has changed the political ambiance in the country. People from all communities are now looking up to Rahul Gandhi, who has established himself as an agent of change.”

Masood described his stint outside the Congress as a one-and-a-half-year-long nightmare.

Congress leader Rajiv Shukla, who was present at the news conference, said Indians’ perception about the Congress had changed after the election victories in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. He said the party would win four more states over the next two months.

Asked about Rahul contesting from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said: “The people of Amethi want Rahul Gandhi to represent them. They are frustrated with Smriti Irani who fooled the people with her lies.

“She said that people would get sugar for Rs 13 a kg if the BJP came to power. Rahul Gandhi never lies. Now he will win by a thumping majority.”

No decision has so far been taken on the seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli but the Congress will not want to give up these constituencies, known as Gandhi family bastions.

Sonia Gandhi is unlikely to contest from Rae Bareli this time but Priyanka stepping in cannot be ruled out.