Raipur, October 24
If you talk about Chhattisgarh politics, willy nilly, you cannot write former CM Ajit Jogi off. For past 13 years, he has been focal point of state politics – be it for good or bad reasons. Once dubbed as synonym of Congress in state, Jogi is presently the organization’s bête noir. His opponents in the party were shell-shocked when the high command recently made him convener of state unit’s poll campaign committee. Though he is not in fray in ensuing polls, his new role carries encrypted message that he could be a hidden CM candidate for whom any of the supporter will vacate his seat if Congress gets clear mandate.
The party has although appointed AICC treasurer Motilal Vora as chairman of poll campaign committee, the octogenarian is less likely to play active role in the hustings and his task will rather be confined to striking a balance between Jogi and rest of state Congress.
Jogi, on the other hand, after becoming convener of the poll campaign panel made it evident that the upcoming polls would be fought between him and the ruling BJP. CM Raman too feels that people will compare his as well as Jogi’s tenures before making their mindset to favour any party.
Jogi’s opponents in the party are surprised by his fresh assignment. Just a couple of months back, the scene was different. When Maoists killed over 30 Congress leaders in Bastar on May 25, few in the party in suppressed voice and the ruling BJP alleged of Jogi’s hand in the attack. Since then, 10 Janpath became inaccessible for him. The state unit also alienated him for his parallel party activities.
Peeved by the party’s attitude, Jogi started organizing rallies in every assembly constituency and projecting his local supporters as potential poll candidates. His opponents complained against him to party supremo Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi. They wanted him to be expelled. However, Gandhis refrained from talking to Jogi in this matter and instead engaged a few senior leaders to bring truce between him and the state organization.
Meanwhile, it was rumoured that Jogi, backed by several Congress MLAs, will float a new party before polls. Jogi, however, denied of any such possibility and expressed his faith over Gandhis. Eventually, his patience turned into reward when the party leadership summoned him to explain about his poll preparations and victory propositions.
It is learnt that convinced by Jogi’s argument, the party gave tickets to 35 of his loyalists out of total 62 candidates announced for polls. Jogi has reportedly demanded 50 tickets. Since the party is yet to declare 28 more names, he has reasons to smile as few more of his supporters might appear in the last list.
In last five years or so, Jogi’s son Amit has toiled hard at grassroot level to beef up his and his father’s position in party politics. Raising local as well as major burning issues, Amit took out foot march in every assembly constituency during this period. This is how he succeeded in spread-eagling Jogi family’s domain to each nook and corner of the state. Presently, over half of the party legislators trust Jogi. Besides, almost three quarters of YC and NSUI posts are held by his supporters.
More importantly, the high command showed magnanimity towards Jogi because the latter confidently claimed victory of his recommended candidates. According to information, it is his confidence which prompted the national leadership to assign broader task to Jogi to not only ensure victory of his supporters, but also of other party candidates and as a quid pro quo he has been promised the CM post.
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