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 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 to do well in the elections then only God can save them."

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