Unwanted in Assam, Jogi finds hope in Meghalaya

Even as former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi arrived here to campaign for the party, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) virtually declared him a persona non grata, with APCC chief Paban Singh Ghatowar saying, ‘‘We have not sought his services’’.

Jogi, who arrived here on Friday, was told by the APCC that he was not required here, given his tainted image over the cash-for-MLAs case. On his part, Jogi claimed that the AICC had asked him to campaign for the party in the North-East and left for Shillong to work for the Congress in Meghalaya. ‘‘I shall remain a Congressman whether the party suspended me or not,’’ Jogi claimed.

In Shillong, Meghalaya PCC chief S.C. Marak welcomed Jogi. Chief Minister D.D. Lapang and senior leaders were present during the meeting at Marak’s residence.

Jogi told reporters that the top brass must have thought he could contribute to Congress prospects in the North-East as he was both a tribal and Christian. Heis schedule to leave for Tura along with party LS candidate Minister Mukul Sangma to work out strategy against archrival P.A. Sangma.