Vaghela's remarks raise hackles in Congress

A senior Congress leader on Sunday objected to remarks by former Union minister Shankarsinh Vaghela that he had nearly quit the party and was set to rejoin BJP, saying such utterances ahead of assembly polls in Gujarat would demoralise partymen.

"Shankar Singh Vaghela has said in an interview that at one stage, he wanted to leave Congress and was even ready to join BJP and NCP. It is condemnable because such statements demoralise the rank," special invitee to the Congress Working Committee Anil Shastri said.

He said Congress has to face assembly elections this year in Gujarat, therefore, "he (Vaghela) should be cautious in his utterances as he is supposed to be leading the election campaign there as chairman of the campaign committee." He was reacting to a recent interview of Vaghela.