145;Repentent146; Shukla yearns for homecoming, Jogi blocks way

It has all the ingredients of a political soap opera: a veteran politician shedding tears of repentance for quitting the Congress...

It has all the ingredients of a political soap opera: a veteran politician shedding tears of repentance for quitting the Congress, his rival thwarting his homecoming because he believes he had wronged his son, and the all-powerful party supremo citing her own sacrifices and forgiveness in her bid to make peace between the two.

That8217;s the story of former Union Minister V C Shukla8217;s attempts to return to the Congress so far. Having moved in and out of the party several times in the past and broken bread with a host of parties 8212;- the BJP being the latest after his short attempt at running own regional outfit in 2004 8212;- Shukla is learnt to be telling his sympathisers in the Congress now that he wants to 8220;die as a Congressman8221; as a last tribute to his father, the late Ravi Shankar Shukla, who was the first Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress high command is said to be in favour of granting pardon to Shukla, not the least because it gives the Congress a recognisable Brahmin face. But former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, who defeated Shukla on the Mahasamund Lok Sabha seat in 2004, would listen to none of it.

The long political rivalry between the two apart, Jogi cites his 8220;moral duty as a father8221; to justify his opposition. The former Chhattisgarh CM is convinced that Shukla was responsible for implicating his son Amit Jogi in a 2003 murder case. His son was acquitted by a special court last May.

Every time senior party leaders approach Jogi for a reconciliation with Shukla, the former cites witness accounts in the court saying it was at Shukla8217;s behest that Amit Jogi8217;s name was given in the FIR. 8220;My son had to spend 10 months in jail because of him. How can I betray him now? I can forget, but not forgive,8221; Jogi is said to have told his party colleagues.

Sonia Gandhi is learnt to have tried to persuade Jogi by telling him that even she had forgiven people. Shukla has also met Jogi several times in the recent past urging him to let bygones be bygones. The former Chhattisgarh CM remains unmoved, though.

Jogi8217;s opposition apart, a section of the Congress is in favour of the former Union Minister8217;s return. Interestingly, UP CM Mayawati8217;s close aide and Brahmin mascot S C Mishra is also said to be lobbying with Congress leaders on behalf of Shukla.

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Jogi conceded to The Indian Express that Shukla had met him to seek his support for his entry in the Congress. 8220;I am not just a politician, I am also a father. Besides, what do I tell my community who had sided with me in those times when V C Shukla was conspiring against my son? But I will abide by whatever decision the Congress President takes in this case,8221; he said.

Contacted on phone in Raipur, Shukla said: 8220;I cannot say anything until everything is over.8221;