Shukla set for return to Congress party

The ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi has approved the return of veteran leader Vidya Charan Shukla to the party fold.

A formal announced in this regard is expected early next month.

The former federal minister had drifted away from the parent party after his claim to the chief minister's post was ignored by Sonia after creation of Chhattisgarh as a separate state in October 2000. He subsequently resigned from the party ahead of December 2003 provincial polls.

"Shukla's return to the fold is now just a matter of formality. The formal announcement should be made in the state capital Raipur after April 2," a senior Congress official said.

Party treasurer Motilal Vora, who doubles up as state unit chief, and national general secretary Margaret Alva are scheduled to visit Raipur on April 2.

While Shukla's loyalty to the party is questionable, political exigency has ensured Shukla's return since the party needs a firebrand leader in the state to prop it up in Chhattisgarh where it ceded power to the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi was opposing Shukla's entry. Sonia, however, has overruled Jogi after her political secretary Ahmad Patel recommended his return in the larger interest of the party.