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STATES:
CHATTISGARH
Burden
of Hope
Ajit Jogi
takes over a state rich in surplus resources, but can expect teething
troubles from expectant allies and disappointed rivals vying for the top
post
By
Neeraj Mishra in Raipur
Three
years ago, when Ajit Jogi had seemed determined to dislodge Digvijay Singh
as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, the astute Digvijay retaliated
by masterminding a campaign against Jogi. An affidavit signed by more
than 60 tribal MLAs did the rounds of Bhopal and Delhi questioning Jogi's
claim to the chief ministership on the grounds of being a tribal by suggesting
that he was not, to begin with, a tribal.
 |
| Ajit
Jogi may smile but there are tough times ahead |
Last week,
on the eve of the creation of the new state of Chhattisgarh which was
carved out of Madhya Pradesh, the two old foes were thick as thieves.
At the function where Jogi was to take oath as the first chief minister
of Chhattisgarh, Digvijay was the master of ceremonies, escorting Jogi
to the dais and nudging the governor of the new state, D.N. Sahay, to
start the proceedings. Earlier, he had arrived in Raipur from Delhi on
October 28 with Ghulam Nabi Azad and Prabha Rao.
All three
maintained they had no instructions from the high command to get anyone
in particular elected. But before the observers could even meet with legislators,
Jogi and Digvijay made some deft use of their immense contacts in the
media. Some TV channels announced Jogi was Sonia's chosen one. All at
once, several lobbies got activated. The tribal MLAs led by Mahendra Karma
became fidgety. V.C. Shukla, who claimed the support of 20 MLAs, gnashed
his teeth in desperation knowing that he might not be able to hold on
to them once the high command made known its decision. As Azad spouted
the classic central observer line, "MLAs will choose their own leader",
Singh smiled.
The next
day, just before the formal congregation of MLAs in the newly renovated
chief minister's residence, Digvijay set the cat among the pigeons. "Ajit
Jogi is my candidate. I have made a promise to the high command that I'll
get him elected and I'll do my best," he said, and the elections
were virtually over though the charade of seeking individual opinions
of MLAs had to be gone through. There were eight in favour of Shukla,
four favoured S.C. Shukla, while three opted for Mahendra Karma, with
not even one mentioning Jogi. The 33 remaining MLAs emphatically stated
that they were with Digvijay and would go with whatever he conveyed as
the high command's decision.
On the October 31 when the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) was finally
set to meet to elect their leader formally, Shukla visited the chief minister's
house for the first time. He came out after half an hour, his face burning
with suppressed rage. He had been beaten in his own backyard and he could
do nothing about it. "It is grave injustice. Someone whose tribal
credentials are in doubt is walking away with the crown in their name
and we can do nothing about it," says Arvind Netam, who was himself
considered for the post. Seven MLAs eventually abstained from the CLP
meet and Jogi emerged with 41 votes, a gift from Digvijay who lavished
some more. "Three independents and Gondwana Party MLAs have joined
us and will lend outside support," he said.
But the difficulties
are far from over for the IAS officer-turned-chief minister. The Shuklas
are wounded and smarting, Motilal Vora will have his say and Digvijay's
stranglehold does not seem like weakening. He has also created several
strong satraps like Charan Das Mahant, Nand Kumar Patel, Satyanarayan
Sharma and Ravindra Choubey who will justify aspirins every hour for Jogi.
The foretaste was provided by Shukla.
After Azad
formally announced Jogi's election Digvijay drove down to V.C. Shukla's
farm house just outside Raipur. Some 400 supporters of Shukla had collected
inside the premises and as soon as he alighted from the car along with
Azad and Prabha Rao, the slogan shouting and pushing rose to a crescendo.
In the melee Digvijay was pushed around and slapped, while Azad, who was
the main target, escaped inside under a shower of blows. Digvijay amazingly
fought with the crowd on equal terms before being pushed inside by his
security people. Jogi again, through some celestial suggestion, escaped
humiliation by deciding at the last moment not to travel to Shukla's farm.
He will, however, need more of the same and for a long long time.
Pg.2
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