Jogi wants ticket, Cong holds list

While his supporters say the former CM’s name is ‘‘very much under consideration’’, AICC treasurer Motilal Vora, who is the PCC president also, does not think so. ‘‘I have no knowledge about Jogi’s name being considered by the party,’’ he maintains. Of the total 11 seats, the party has released its list for nine Lok Sabha seats but there isn’t a final word on the two remaining seats — of Mahasamund and Raigarh — where Jogi has his ‘‘stake’’.

While the Congress, fearing a backlash, has not given any indication of fielding him — especially after the BJP decided not to field similarly tainted former Environment and Forest Minister Dilip Singh Judeo — Jogi is keen to fight against V.C. Shukla, his arch rival and BJP candidate from Mahasamund.

‘‘I am ready to challenge Shukla but I have left it to the party. I want to see Shukla defeated. If someone else can do it in the party, I will be more than happy,’’ Jogi says.