Shukla gets his own tribal to challenge CM

In 1999, Netam had unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha polls on a BSP ticket. He returned to the party on Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s invitation. He was made the AICC secretary.

Netam today appeared at the NCP rally, announcing his decision to quit the Congress which he claimed seems to have place only for ‘‘fake’’ tribals like Jogi. He accused the Congress of subjecting him to utter humiliation, knowing well that he represents the Adivasi community.

‘‘Jab khota sikka hi bazaar mein chal raha hai, to asli ko kaun puchchega (When the fake coin works in the market, who will care for the authentic?),’’ he remarked. Netam alleged that atrocities against tribals have increased, ever since Jogi became Chief Minister. There are several other Adivasi leaders in the Congress ready to quit and join the NCP, he said.

Reacting to the latest development, Jogi today called Arvind Netam ‘‘a habitual defector.’’ Playing down Netam’s defection to the NCP today, he said, ‘‘When we took him into the Congress, out of the 12 seats in Bastar, we won 11 and lost the seat that was contested by his brother.’’

PCC chief spokesperson Rajendra Tiwari dismissed Netam’s exit as a non-event.