Shukla leaves NCP, floats own outfit

Former Union minister V.C. Shukla today quit the NCP’s Chhattisgarh’s unit party and formed his own regional outfit.

‘‘We have left NCP and I have been made the president of the newly-formed outfit,’’ Shukla said while christening his group as 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 the Congress wants the assistance of Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi to do well in the elections then only God can save them.’’