JAMMU: Jammu Kashmir National Panthers on Sunday witnessed another vertical split as former Minister Harsh Dev Singh declared himself as new president of the party whereas the incumbent Vilakshan Singh claimed that he enjoys the support of the majority of working committee members of JKNPP.

This is the second split in Panthers Party since the death of founder President Prof Bhim Singh, who had passed away on May 31, last year. Both Harsh Dev Singh and Vilakshan Singh are first cousins and nephews of Prof Bhim Singh.

In a written statement, Harsh Dev Singh said that Panthers Working Committee met here today at Jammu and unanimously elected him as the new State President of the party.

"The motion was moved by Bansi Lal Sharma Advocate, Founder member and Ex-President of the Party and carried unanimously by the members of the Working Committee," reads the statement, adding that the election was necessitated as the term of the previous President (Vilakshan Singh) had expired on 23rd March and the election for the State President had become overdue.