Shukla proves a point with mega NCP show

In the state, which goes to the polls by this year-end, Shukla rolled out his agenda against Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. The rally held in the backdrop of NCP state treasurer Ram Avtar Jaggi’s murder saw the highest participation from villages with three special trains and hundreds of hired vehicles ferrying supporters to the venue.

To scuttle Shukla’s plans, the Congress organised two rallies at the same time in Raipur’s periphery with Jogi addressing these rallies, planned just a day in advance. The bridge over the River Mahanadi was also blocked by a 40-tonne loaded trailer early this morning. But all this did not stop Shukla supporters from finding new routes to make it to the rally.

The NCP leaders produced a letter of an SHO in Rajnandgaon district, telling all sarpanches to attend a ‘‘convention’’ organised in the area on June 10. The leaders, who flanked Shukla in an open vehicle, said at the rally that the party was making a serious bid for power contrary to Congress perceptions about NCP lacking grounds. ‘‘We still have four months to go and the politics of Chhattisgarh will change, after Shukla moves out to the districts,’’ said Praful Patel.

And earlier at the press conference, NCP president Sharad Pawar said: ‘‘In Maharashtra, the poll verdict was unclear and we joined the hands with the Congress to keep the Shiv Sena out of power. But in Chhattisgarh, we will fight the Congress, not only to get our presence acknowledged but to form the government.’’

NCP leaders including former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma, Tariq Anwar, Praful Patel and Maharashtra deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal were in Raipur to attend the rally. V.C. Shukla, who was a contender for the chief ministership after the formation of Chhattisgarh, left the Congress in April to join the NCP and to position himself as an alternative to Jogi.