Congress set to split in Chhattisgarh

AICC member Ajit Jogi to form a new political outfit

All India Congress Committee (AICC) member and Chhattisgarh’s first Chief Minister Ajit Jogi would float a separate political outfit that would script Congress division in the state.

The much awaited Jogi’s Marwahi Meeting was held on Monday afternoon in Kotmi --- the native place of Congress stalwart in Bilaspur district. A Kotmi Declaration was unveiled in the meeting that resolved to form a new political party under the leadership of Ajit Jogi to “protect the pride of Chhattisgarh”. The new party will be of Chhattisgarh, the declaration added.

The theme of the new political party would be “welfare of all”. It had also underlined that the new political party would secure absolute majority in the 2018 state polls in Chhattisgarh and form the government. Jogi said he would make Chhattisgarh country’s first tax-free state and would not allow power to be transmitted outside the state.

Before Jogi set for the venue from the guest house, his wife Renu applied “tilak” and presented a sword to him. “Jodhabai also did the same to Akbar while he was moving to war zone,” Jogi referred in his speech. His fight for the people and ouster of the BJP-led government in Chhattisgarh would start, he added.

The name of the party would be decided by the supporters. The organizers circulated forms among the gathering of over 5,000 people asking to tick one of the eight options for naming the party. Even supporters opinion had been sought for the party’s symbol.

The name and symbol getting maximum votes would be adopted, the organizers said.

Though Jogi did not attack the Congress party, the other leaders lashed and said the party had lost the direction. “The polling agents of the BJP and those involved in liquor trade are now office bearers of the Congress,” former legislator Dharamjit Singh said.

Besides three sitting Congress legislators, five former legislators attended the meeting.The legislator include Jogi’s wife Renu, who is also deputy leader of opposition. Jogi said he had asked the legislators and his supporters to stay away from the meeting.

“The state unit had submitted a detailed report to the AICC that would take necessary action,” Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said.