Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Ajit Jogi may extend support to BJP in Chhattisgarh

“There is no permanent friend or foe in Politics”, proving this adage to be very much true, Ajit Jogi has recently stated that “he will not rule out any possibility of having a tie-up with BJP despite his intense rivalry with Chief Minister Raman Singh.

“In politics you can’t rule out anything. So anything can happen. But I’m quite certain that eventuality will not arise,” Mr Jogi told NDTV on being asked whether he would accept support from the BJP, if it came to that.

The entry of Ajit Jogi’s Chhattisgarh Janta Congress party has converted the direct contest between the BJP and the Congress into a three-way battle similar to that of Karnataka, where the last-minute alliance of Congress with HD Kumaraswamy kept the BJP out of power.

Chhattisgarh is going to have a close contest between the parties.

Ajit Jogi, who was a Congress member, was expelled two years ago from the party. He is expected to shift the votes of his former party. His party has joined hands with Dalit leader Mayawati after she denied any alliance with Congress in this round of assembly elections. A Congress-Mayawati combo would have been difficult to beat, especially with the BJP battling anti-incumbency after 15 years in power.

Mayawati ruled out any tie-up with the Congress in the current round of elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as she failed to procure the seats she wanted from the Congress.

Jogi, when asked whether Mayawati would approve of support to BJP, he said, “I don’t think she would like. But we’re not talking to her, we are only working for our alliance and we are together”.

However, he further altered his statement and said, “I’ve not talked to her in person about her equation with BJP or the Congress. That’s what I read in newspapers.” He had earlier claimed that his alliance with Mayawati was the result of a few hours of conversation.

Ruling out any chance of returning to the Congress Mr Jogi claimed of having a good personal equation with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi even now. Jogi had quit Congress in 2016 and formed his party.

For a state where nearly 30 per cent of the population comprises Scheduled Castes and tribals, Mr Jogi’s alliance with Mayawati is strategic. It is also one, he hopes, will help him reach the majority in the 90-member assembly.

Mr Jogi, however is at loggerheads with the Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh.  He said, “We are not personal enemies but Dr. Raman Singh has tried to harm me personally a number of times”. “There was a case of murder against me, filed by him, in which the judge very next day discharged me because it was frivolous. Then there was a case of robbery. Sitting on a wheelchair, allegedly, I was accused of robbing 10,000 rupees worth gold chain and a camera  that also got dismissed by the court. Then about my caste, I am the only person according to Dr. Raman Singh, who does not have a caste.”

Ajit Jogi was the first Chief Minister of the state after Chhattisgarh was separated from Madhya Pradesh. From Congress, he led the state from 2000 to 2003. After that Raman Singh became the Chief Minister in 2003.

The state, where the first phase of assembly elections has been held in Maoist-dominated areas, will have the second round on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

By fatima

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