Veteran politician Vidya Charan Shukla, who has changed many parties, is one of most towering politicians in Chhattisgarh. He is still remembered for his close association with former prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Veteran politician Vidya Charan Shukla, who has changed many parties, is one of most towering politicians in Chhattisgarh. He is still remembered for his close association with former prime minister Indira Gandhi and the clout he had during her regime.
Son of the first Chief Minister of undivided Madhya Pradesh and having been elected to Parliament for nine times consecutively, he has handled crucial ministries in several Congress and non-Congress governments.
Once regarded as one of the important national level leaders of the Congress, he differed with Sonia Gandhi on several issues, including concerning the 'coterie', and quit the party. He later joined Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party.
As NCP chief today, he has the potential to mar the prospects of a number of BJP and Congress candidates in his pockets of influence. Even his adversaries in the state consider him as a force to reckon with in the state.
His father, Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla, was the first chief minister of undivided Madhya Pradesh while his elder brother, Shyama Charan Shukla, also held the chief minister's post in the state thrice.
VC Shukla himself held important portfolios like information and foreign affairs in the Union ministry under Indira Gandhi.
He had accused Jogi of institutionalising corruption and encouraging caste politics.
