Many expected the faction-ridden Congress in Chhattisgarh to put up a united front when party vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited the State for two days recently. However, even the presence of Mr. Gandhi could not stop open clashes and the game of one-upmanship between the two groups.
One faction of the party is led by the former Chief Minister, Ajit Jogi, and the other by PCC president Bhupesh Baghel.
At Mr. Gandhi’s first event in Madanpur village of Korba district last week, the Special Protection Group did not allow Mr. Jogi to get on stage, saying his name was not on the list of dignitaries. However, Mr. Jogi, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident a few years ago, was called to the stage after Mr. Gandhi intervened.
On the stage, Mr. Jogi and Mr. Baghel were seen engaged in an argument. Mr. Jogi later clarified that he was opposing the anchoring of the programme by a non-tribal.
On the second day of Mr. Gandhi’s visit, Mr. Jogi had differences with senior leader Charandas Mahant on the stage at a public rally at Janjgir Chapa. However, his fiery speech received a huge applause from the crowd and drew Mr. Gandhi’s attention.
After the conclusion of Mr. Gandhi’s trip, both factions tried to take credit for its success. “Mr. Gandhi could see for himself who is the mass leader,” Mr. Jogi said at a press conference here.
