Jogi's alliance with BSP creates political flutters

The Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) decision to ally with the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J)— JCC (J)— has given a new dimension to the politics in the state.

Earlier, the BSP was to ally with the Congress but with turn of events its new decision has created a political upheaval in Chhattisgarh.

"Janata Congress Chhattisgarh supremo Ajit Jogi has finally proved that his party has been formed not to save the self respect of Chhattisgarh's people but to make Ajit Jogi or one of his family members the chief minister", Dr Sanket Thakur, state convener of Aam Aadmi Party, said.

Terming the JCC (J) and the BSP coalition as only vying for power, Thakur said that for a long period the party has been fooling the public.

"Finally, Jogi has entered into the pre-poll alliance with BSP Chief Mayawati. Thus it has been proved that the alliance has no love for local residents but anyhow and at any cost, they need power. Jogi had failed to bring along the tribal and socially backward sections of society, so he has been forced to take BSP's assistance," Thakur said.

" Earlier, Jogi was rejected by the people of the state that is why he could not find candidates for 90 seats. Now with the BSP, he would try to infuse caste factor in the elections. Earlier also, Jogi had failed miserably with the same agenda in the 2003 general elections," he said and added that it led to Jogi's exit from power.

Chhattisgarh BJP president Dharamal Kaushik commenting on the new alliance said that the Congress is a sinking ship to which no one wants to go.

" Travelling along with it (the Congress) means political suicide," Kaushik said and added that the one such example was the Congress' alliance with with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh which led to a total political elimination of the party.

Due to the prevailing situation, the Congress was ready for alliance with the BSP on any terms but Mayawati felt that such act would be suicidal.

Now, the Congress will have to go alone and test the waters.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupesh Baghel said that the new alliance will not make any difference to the Congress.

" Both the parties have been working together in favour of the BJP in the state so it is not a surprise. People of state know about it and it has unveiled the BJP's face. It does not make any difference," he added.

He said that earlier talks for alliance were with the Congress but when the ED and CBI tightened the noose, BSP did a U-turn, this has revealed the BSP's real face to the people.

On alliance with Gondwana Gantantra Party, he said that the talks are still open.