V C Shukla leaves NCP, floats own outfit

In a jolt to the Nationalist Congress Party in Chhattisgarh, former Union minister V C Shukla on Thursday quit the party and formed his own regional outfit.

"We have left the NCP and I have been made the president of the newly-formed outfit," said Shukla, who was the NCP state president. Shukla has christened his group as the Rashtriya Jantantrik Dal.

Pointing out that he would maintain a 'cordial relationship' with all NCP leaders while remaining 'neutral' vis-a-vis differences between Sharad Pawar [ Images ] and P A Sangma, Shukla said, "We will fight the elections under NDA manifesto."

Replying to a question, he said, "If Congress wants assistance of Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi [ Images ] to do well in the elections then only God can save them."

He also said his party will work in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra [ Images ] and Mahakoshal region of Madha Pradesh.