Chhattisgarh Cong favours return of bigwigs

Korba, Chhattisgarh, May 14 (UNI) The Congress' Chhattisgarh unit favours the return of senior leaders and others who left the party a little before the newly-formed state's first assembly poll in 2003 though party President Sonia Gandhi's decision is awaited over re-entry of former Union Minister Vidyacharan Shukla.

''The party will be strengthened by veterans' return. I am in favour of Mr Shukla, Mr Arvind Netam and Mr Pawan Diwan rejoining us. Ex-MLAs and other leaders have been urged to return,'' Pradesh Congress Committee President Charandas Mahant told mediapersons here yesterday in the wake of a few former MLAs recently returning to party fold.

Regarding disciplinary action against party MLA Ramdayal Uike -- who represents Tanakhar -- for commenting against Congress Treasurer Motilal Vora, Dr Mahant said that he had reserved his decision on the matter.

UNI