Ahead of the Chhattisgarh polls, Janta Congress Chhattisgarh chief Ajit Jogi has played his cards well and its alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is turning into a blow for both Bhartiya Janata Party and Congress.
As per the opinion poll done among senior journalists across the state, Congress will manage around 38-40 seats, Janta Congress Chhattisgarh and BSP 13-15 seats, BJP is likely to get 34-36 seats.
Keeping in view the Congress strategy in Karnataka, where after the election results in May 2018, Congress rushed to Janata Dal (Secular) and offered HD Kumaraswamy chief minister’s post to keep BJP away from the government. The current scenario in Chhatisgarh is similar to the Karnataka polls 2018, where third major contender emerged as the Chief Minister of the state.
According to political experts, since Congress does not have any big face in Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi could be a compromise candidate in case Congress falls short of the majority which opinion poll suggests. Jogi holds experience of leading the state as well.
Internal rift intensifies as Congress looks for revival in Maharashtra
It is also evident that Congress is currently focusing on government formation through all possible measures, and providing an opportunity to Ajit Jogi may favour Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as well, as the party will be able to woo more tribal voters through Ajit Jogi.
In a joint press statement on the Chhattisgarh tie-up, Mayawati and Jogi attacked BJP led Chhattisgarh government over its negligent attitude towards people of the state. “There has been unbalanced development in Chhattisgarh in the last 15 years. Both BJP and Congress state leaders have been helpless and dependent on the Centre for decisions and this has always compromised the interests of people of the state. The state needs a strong regional force and both of our parties share the same philosophy”.
During 2013 Chhattisgarh assembly polls, Congress had a 40.29% vote share and BSP 4.27% respectively, Ajit Jogi was with Congress at that time. At present, it seems that it is going to be a tough task for Congress to register a comfortable win in Chhattisgarh.
Related:
Chhattisgarh: Police arrests Congress leaders ahead of PM Modi’ program
Chhattisgarh: Ajit Jogi launches his new party ‘Chhattisgarh Janata Congress’
