Ruling out the possibility of reconciliation with the Congress party, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has said “those days were long past when those who left the party had to return on bent knees.”
In an exclusive interview to The Hindu on Thursday, the former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister said: “Many people have carved out a space for themselves after leaving the Congress and many of them are successful. For example, [YSRCP leader] Jagan Mohan Reddy and [West Bengal Chief Minister] Mamata Banerjee. Even Mr. [NCP chief Sharad] Pawar was somewhere successful in establishing his own party,” Mr. Jogi said.
Shortly after quitting the Congress, Mr. Jogi has now announced that he would launch a new outfit.
Asked if there still was room for reconciliation with the Congress, Mr. Jogi said: “There is no point in indulging in such formalities. Now, Ajit Jogi has formed his own party.”
Asked why the Congress’ central leadership had remained silent even as his son had been expelled from the party and junior State leaders had openly made allegations against him, Mr. Jogi chose to play it safe by saying: “It is not in my nature to leave with bitterness. I have left (the Congress party) now, I don’t want to name anybody…talk against anybody.”
‘Disconnected’ Stressing that he was now “disconnected” with both State and central Congress leaders, Mr. Jogi said: “I don’t wish to go back to Delhi. Everybody knows what has happened to the Congress party. They have touched the nadir. They now have only 44 MPs and they are ruling over only seven per cent of the country. Could anybody have ever imagined that the Congress would touch this level? There are people responsible for it, but I don’t want to name them. I want to leave (the Congress) as a friend.”
Met Sonia Gandhi Acknowledging that he had met Congress President Sonia Gandhi recently, Mr. Jogi said he, however, did not wish to make the details public.
“I did disclose my intentions (of forming a new party) to the supreme leader of my previous party and told her the reasons behind it. This bond was full of affection and admiration beyond description. I wanted her permission,” he said.
On whether Ms. Gandhi had given “permission” for his exit, Mr. Jogi made a veiled reference to the gradual ascendancy of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying “Things have changed now and I don’t want to look at Delhi.”
Mr. Jogi also said that he quit the Congress party to take on Chief Minister Raman Singh.
‘Did not ask for post’ “I did not ask for a post for me, but I asked it to be given to someone who can fight (the Raman Singh government). However, when it did not happen, I concluded that the present Congress set-up in Chhattisgarh will give him a fourth term as a walkover, so I have to step in.”
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