Sonia campaign not personal, says Jogi

Raipur, May 13 (UNI) Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi today said Congress chief Sonia Gandhi should shoulder the responsibility of Prime Ministership in deference to the wishes of several crore people of the country.

''It's not my personal desire, but the consensus view of all party MPs and several crore people of the country'', Mr Jogi said referring to the signature drive involving 25 MPs urging Ms Gandhi to become Prime Minister after her historic victory from Rae Bareily.

''I am not dejected because of disapproval of the drive'', he told UNI over telephone. ''She is our leader and her decision is supreme'', he added.

'What was my fault'' he said ruling out that the party chief was annoyed over the signature drive. ''In fact, those left out MPs later complained that their signature had not been taken. At present, Ms Gandhi is the most popular leader in the country. It would be in the country's interest if she took over as Prime Minister. It is quite different she is not prepared to take up that responsibility'', Mr Jogi added.

The bureaucrat-turned-politician, however, declined to divulge the nature of his talks with Ms Gandhi on Thursday night when he met to congratulate her for the Rae Bareily victory.

UNI AS-SP VD HT1607