Jogi goes into political exile for one year

Raipur, December 28

Following footsteps of his fellow party leader Digvijay Singh, senior Congress leader and Chhattisgarh’s former CM Ajit Jogi has decided to take a break from active politics for one year. While his supporters are shocked by this decision, his rivals in the party as well as BJPians are trying to figure out the meaning of his self-imposed exile.

Jogi says he is now free from all responsibilities and just wants to focus on spiritual and social works for some time. By responsibility he implies his Son Amit who won in recent assembly polls from family bastion Marwahi. However, his opponents termed this reason unconvincing for a break and felt the IAS-turned-politician must be brewing something else and would reveal it only at appropriate time.

Just few days back, Jogi had stated that instead of contesting Lok Sabha polls, he would like to strengthen the organisation by holding some post. However, he did not forgot adding that he would eventually act according to high command’s wish. At that time, the partymen did not take his words seriously as they knew how indignant he was when Bhupesh Baghel, his rival, was anointed as new PCC chief.

Now, when he has overtly expressed his desire to take a break, everybody in the party is thinking differently. His supporters, some of whom were denied assembly ticket but are now aspiring to get chance in general elections, feel their mentor will never leave them in lurch.

His rivals admit that his decision can cost dear to the party in LS polls as he is not only a potential winning candidate, but is also capable of making a difference in some of the seats, especially where SC population is more, during campaigning.

Even State unit president Bhupesh Baghel and ex-PCC chief Charnadas Mahant are worried by Jogi’s statement. Baghel said Jogi, being a senior leader, cannot take such a significant decision without consent of high command. He felt the former CM would surely reconsider his decision. Mahant, on the other hand, termed Jogi as his elder brother and said the latter should contest LS polls and work for benefit of the party.

Besides, the State unit is more concerned over Jogi’s statement in which he said he would continue meeting with political friends during his exile as it is an indication that he is likely to rebuild his own team either to take over the post of PCC head in near future or to float a new party if he and his family would be ignored further.