BJP support waning in Chhattisgarh , says Jogi

Raipur, Apr 3 (UNI) Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi today said the BJP's defeat in the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha elections was the cumulative effect of its government's betrayal towards the tribals and its policies that did not benefit any section of society.

''Democracy is a daily plebicite. People have realised that the Raman Singh government did nothing for them during its more than three year rule'', he said at a press conference here.

Mr Jogi, who led the Congress campaign in Rajnandgaon, said Congress candidate Devavrat Singh had secured a comfortable lead from the tribal areas, clearly indicating that the tribals had voted against BJP as they felt it did not fulfil the promises made to them.

''Before coming to power, the BJP promised to provide cows free of cost to each and every tribal family. Similarly, many other such promises were also made'', he said adding that even after more than three years these promises remain unfulfilled.

Referring to Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh's claim that 'operation Dhuryodhan' was the reason for the BJP's defeat in Rajnandgaon, the former chief minister said a day before the polls on March 29, all BJP leaders maintained that the cash-for-question scandal, that led to the explusion of BJP MP Pradeep Gandhi from the Lok Sabha, was not not an election issue.

''Now the BJP is blaming operation Dhuryodhan for its defeat.

Even expelled BJP MP Pradeep Gandhi has come out in the open against blaming him for the BJP is defeat'', he pointed out.

Replying to a question, Mr Jogi said Chief Minister Raman Singh, Congress veteran and AICC treasurer Motilal Vora and Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr Charandas Mahant had 'contributed' towards the Congress's victory in Rajnandgaon.

To another question, the senior Congress leader said he was not not demanding the resignation of chief minister Dr Raman Singh.

'' We want that he should remain as it will help the further strengthen the Congress'', he added.

UNI