S C Shukla pioneered irrigation faciliites in Madhya Pradesh

Raipur, Feb 14 (UNI) Congress veteran Shyama Charan Shukla, who died today following prolonged illness, had stood tall in politics of undivided Madhya Pradesh for almost five decades with his clean image and his keen interest in the development of the state.

Unlike other politicans, he never used the tactics of hitting below the belt, even against his strong political adversaries throughout his political career which began with his participation in the 'Quit India Movement' in 1942.

Known for his sense of humour, the Congress veteran's comment about the performance of his own party's government in Madhya Pradesh in the late 1990's, was well known. ''Any comment about the performance of Digvijay Singh government could amount to indiscipline'', was his reply at a press conference at his residence in Bhopal.

Born on February 27, 1925 -- the son of first chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla, he was educated at Banaras Hindu University and Nagpur University. Initially, he practiced law and later ventured into business. He was also the founder editor of 'Mahakaushal', the first Hindi daily published from Chhattisgarh.

Mr Shukla, who was elected to Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, first in 1957. Later, he represented Rajim assembly constituency in the assembly in 1962, 1967 and 1972. He became Irrigation minister of Madhya Pradesh in 1967 and Chief Minister in 1969.

As Chief Minister, Mr Shukla launched a number of schemes for the welfare and upliftment of farmers by making efforts to increase to irrigation potential through small, medium and lift irrigation schemes.

Later on December 23, 1975, he was elected as the leader of the Congress legislature party and he continued as Chief Minister till April 1977.

Though he was expelled from the Congress later, he waited for almost 11 years till he was re-induced into the party by the then Congress president Rajiv Gandhi in 1989. Subsequently, he again became Chief Minister in December 1989 with the responsibility of leading the party in the next assembly elections. However, the party could not retain power.

From 1990 to 1999, he continued as a member of the Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly.

For the first time, he was elected to the 13th Lok Sabha from Mahasamund, now in Chhattisgarh, in 1999.

Even after formation of Chhattisgarh, he remained in active politics, but lost the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Raipur constituency.

UNI