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Journalism of Courage
THREE members of the family of the late Ajit Jogi, who was the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh – wife Renu, son Amit and daughter-in-law Richa – are contesting the state elections. Since his father passed away, Amit leads the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh-Jogi (JCCJ), which was formed by Ajit after a split from the Congress in 2016. In the 2018 Assembly elections, it had received 7.61% of the votes, winning five seats but influencing results in 12, polling more votes than victory margin. However, many continue to believe the party’s future is bleak with Ajit Jogi, who passed away in 2020. In an interview with The Indian Express, Amit speaks about his party’s chances in the upcoming polls, what sets it apart from its rivals Congress and BJP, and the impact of his father’s legacy. Excerpts:
The Patan region has not witnessed any development over the past 20-plus years. The uncle-nephew combination of Bhupesh Bhagel and Vijay Bhagel has divided the region between themselves for their selfish ends. While one chooses to become MLA, the other is given the option to become MP from here. As CM, Bhupesh Bhagel has not done any work for the Patan constituency. There is no water for irrigation, no hospital, no school, no college, no housing for the poor, and even the tap water is polluted. This family has only encouraged casteism in the region, and people of Patan now want change. They are ready to defeat these two individuals who failed to live up to the promises they made.
In Patan, I am just the face, the real contestants are the people of Patan. It were the people of Patan who invited me to fight this election from here. Though I had three safe seats from where I could have won easily, it is the love and affection of the people here and their plight that moved me. I am convinced that in a democracy there is no leader who is strong, it is the people who are the strongest, and they decide who is right to represent them. Patan in the past has seen leaders, but now people here have decided to bless this son of theirs.
I did not join politics after my father’s death. I became an MLA in 2013 with the highest winning margin in the state. Many ministers in the Bhupesh Baghel Cabinet, and even the current Pradesh Congress Committee chief (Deepak Baij) were groomed by me to grow in politics. In the past, I travelled across the state and had set up Youth Congress teams. I am experienced when it comes to politics. I have held 56 public meetings across Chhattisgarh in the past 60 days, which is higher than Bhupesh Bhagel or former CM Raman Singh.
It is not me but the people of Chhattisgarh who carry forward my father Ajit Jogi’s legacy, and this is evident from the love showered on me at these meetings. Seeing the enthusiasm at these meetings, I am convinced the people of Chhattisgarh are vexed with the failed promises of national parties, and are set to elect the JCCJ, a regional party that strives for the well-being of the locals.
Leaders of both these national parties have no vision and lack morality. They are remote-controlled from Delhi, and act accordingly to directions of their respective high commands. Even after 23 years of the state’s formation, 45% of people in Chhattisgarh are considered economically poor (the official poverty headcount ratio from NITI Aayog is 16.37%), though the state is rich in natural resources. This suggests Chhattisgarh is a rich state, but the people are poor. To end this plight was my late father’s dream, and I am duty bound to fulfil it.
I am going before the people of Chhattisgarh with my ‘Dus Kadam, Garibi Khatam (10 steps to end poverty)’ campaign.
The JCCJ is the lone regional party in the state with a strong presence on the ground. Other political parties lack support at the grassroots level. Many Assembly segments in these elections will witness a three-cornered tussle between the JCCJ, the ruling Congress, and the BJP.
The Aam Aadmi Party has turned into ‘Daam Aadmi Party’ in Chhattisgarh, and voice recordings of its leaders seeking money in exchange for tickets went viral. The alliance between the Gondwana Gantantra Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party has irked many in these parties. Many leaders and cadres from these parties are joining us.
We are aligned only with the people of Chhattisgarh, not with other political parties… The JCCJ is fighting in 79 seats, and we will put up a strong fight in all. Mark my words, the next government won’t be formed without us.
