Jogi loses his ‘guru’ to BJP

Trying to make light of the loss, Jogi said: ‘‘It will not make much difference. Maybe, it will benefit me close to the poll.’’

Popular for his spiritual discourses on Ramayana and Mahabharata, Diwan was supposed to be the Congress candidate against Shukla till the highcommand decided to forgive Jogi. ‘‘The Congress has completely shaken my faith and ditched me thrice. It’s all over now,’’ Diwan said after meeting CM Raman Singh.

The BJP had lost no time in contacting Diwan at his Rajimu ashram — where Jogi went twice seeking his support. It was sweet revenge for the BJP, as Jogi had won over its sitting MP, P.R. Khunte, prior to Assembly elections. Reliable sources say Swami Chinmayanand played a vital role in getting Diwan back to the party fold after nearly 19 years.

Diwan had begun his political career as a Jan Sangh leader in the early 70s but had later joined the Congress to take on Shukla.

Not only brahmins, Diwan has a good hold over the Sahus and Kurmis who form 55 per cent of Mahasamund’s population. He has already reached Delhi, where he is expected to meet PM Vajpayee.