Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Ajit Jogi has expressed his displeasure at the ‘imminent elevation’ of Rahul Gandhi as party president. Jogi said that none of his close associates hold key positions in the state Congress Committee. He said that despite such discrimination, he has kept quite till now out of respect for Sonia Gandhi.
Attacking Congress as “B team” of BJP in the state, he drew sharp reactions from Congress, which said his exit will be a “good riddance”. Media had speculated that he will announce the formation of a new party, when he goes to his birthplace on June 6 – Marwahi.
He alleged that the Congress leadership in Chhattisgarh failed to give a fight to BJP because the party’s state unit chief Bhupesh Baghel and the leader of opposition in the Assembly TS Singhdeo were “on the backfoot by their own acts”.
I met every leader who I could in Delhi. When I returned, my supporters pressurised me to form a new party. Hence, at their request, I decided to form a new party.Ajit Jogi, Former Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh
Jogi also added that as of now, he would not ask other MLA’s to support him as he does not want to disturb them. He said that his priority is ‘Raman-free’ Chhattisgarh. However, he maintained that he would ask his supporters to consolidate their individual positions over the next two years.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)