Raipur: In a jolt to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Chhattisgarh, former Union Minister V C Shukla today (Feb 5, 2004) quit the party and announced formation of his regional outfit.

Christening his outfit as Rashtriya Jantantrik Dal, Shukla, who was the NCP State president, told reporters that he will maintain a cordial relationship with all NCP leaders, but will be neutral in the fight between Sharad Pawar and P A Sangma.

"We have left the NCP and I have been made the president of the newly-formed outfit," he said, adding we will fight the elections under National Democratic Alliance (NDA) manifesto.

Replying to a question, he said, "If Congress wanted the assistance of Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi to do well in the elections then the God can only save them."

He also said his party will work in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and Mahakoshal region of MP.