The NCP, which has been trying to gain a foothold in the Ajit Jogi bastion, Marwahi, has probably found the ideal candidate to take on the Chief Minister and his tribal credentials.Hemwant Porte, widow of veteran tribal leader and four-time Marwahi MLA Bhanwar Singh Porte, today announced her decision to contest the elections against Jogi. Porte, who left the Congress and joined the NCP, had been seeking a Congress ticket from Marwahi, but that being a Jogi stronghold the Congress was apprehensive.After filing her nomination papers from Bilaspur, Porte said: ‘‘I will not come under any psychological pressure from Jogi.’’Not surprised, Jogi said: ‘‘I already accepted Sai’s challenge. He is welcome to my home. My bhabi (Porte) is a member of the Marwahi family and she is also welcome to the contest.’’Although campaigning for Jogi has already started with his son Amit jogi camping at Marwahi, the spotlight is expected to shift to Porte — contesting her first election. Traditionally Marwahi has been a Congress stronghold and her husband had been so popular here that he had won this seat despite the anti-Congress wave of 1997.Hoping the goodwill of her husband will work to her advantage, Porte said: ‘‘Jogi could have contested from anywhere and won, but for me it was a question of homecoming.’’Although the Chief Minister is confident about the people’s faith in him, with Porte taking the plunge, he is likely to face some trouble, unless he manages to win her over by November 17 — the last date for withdrawal of the nominations.
