Party will do self-analisys on Cong debacle in bypolls: Jogi

Raipur, June  27, 2013

Senior Congress legislator Ajit Jogi on Thursday said Congress would do self-analysis on party’s debacle in Keshkal and Bagbahra bypolls. 

“We humbly accept the defeat. We will discuss about it in the party meeting,” he said while talking to the media persons after the results of Keshkal and Bagbahra bypolls were declared on Thursday. 

Asked whether Congress lost the two bypolls due to wrong selection of candidates he said he could not comment on it as he was not involved in candidate-selection procedures. However, he said, the party in its meeting would discuss on all factors that caused it dear in the two bypolls. 

Asked whether chances of rebellion would increase in the party if selection of candidates for upcoming assembly polls would be done on survey basis, he said such situation was less likely to arise as the partymen never conflict after finalisation of ticket. 

Pointed that sympathy factor did not click in the two bypolls, Jogi said he too was unable to comprehend how it happened and why the party could not take advantage of sympathy factor. 

Notably, the byelections in Keshkal and Bagbahra held on June 24, 2013. While the BJP won Bagbahra bypoll, it was an independent candidate and staunch Jogi supporter Saina Memon who posted victory in Keshkal bypoll. The congress even forfeited its security deposit in Keshkal bypoll.

Before ticket finalisation, the Jogi supporters were expecting that the party would declare Memon as its official candidate, but ticket was given to Mamta Chandrakar. 

Irked by party decision, the Jogi supporters decided to filed Memon as independent candidate. Meanwhile, the party expelled four Jogi stalwarts for campaigning against its official candidate in the bypoll. 

Then blamegame started between Chandrakar and Jogi camp. When Chandrakar alleged that Jogi’s son Amit had campaigned against her, the latter filed suit against her. 

On June 26, Chandrakar and party’s poll observer Rajesh Tiwari submitted comprehensive report to acting PCC chief Charandas Mahant regarding bypoll. They also reportedly complained against Jogi faction.

We will review what went wrong: Mahant

Acting PCC president Charandas Mahant said the party would review what went wrong in two bypolls that led to its defeat. 

Pointing that the independent candidate in Keshkal bypoll got majority votes in Boregaon region where Maoists had attacked a couple of days prior to bypoll, he said while the independent candidate received 600 votes, the Congress candidate got only 61. “We will inquire how it happened,” he added.

He further indicated that despite announcement by naxals to boycott Keshkal bypoll the polling in the entire region was high, i.e. about 70-80%.