At a time when the Congress party is grappling with desertions of senior leaders, former Jawaharlal University Students’ Union leader Kanhaiya Kumar’s plan to join the party is not less than surprising for Bihar party leaders.

Putting an end to the speculations that Kanhaiya, one of the most articulate leaders and strong critic of the Narendra Modi-led BJP regime at the Centre, would not leave his original party—the Communist Party of India (CPI)—a Dalit youth leader of Gujarat and MLA Jignesh Mevani last week announced that the former JNUSU leader and he would be joining the Congress on October 28 in New Delhi.

CPI leader D Raja had, however, denied that Kanhaiya, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as the party candidate from Bihar’s Begusarai constituency against the BJP firebrand and Union minister Giriraj Singh, would walk away. But, party insiders said that Kanhaiya’s plan to move out became apparent when he collected his belongings from the Delhi’s CPI office a couple of weeks ago.

Senior Congress leaders and JNU alumni said that youth leaders with mass following were being inducted nationally as part of the strategy suggested by poll strategist Prashant Kishore. “Moreover, the party, which is struggling to find its roots in Bihar, needed leaders like Kanhiaya to grow and help the party retrieve its lost glory,” said a leader.

Many Congress leaders said that his joining would give another chance for the party to revive its lost glory. Former BPCC chief Anil Sharma, who was also a former Patna University Students’ Union chief, said the party would benefit from Kanhaiya’s joining.