JOIN USUike explains why he left Congress
Ramdayal Uike, the former working president of Congress' Chhattisgarh unit, opened up about the reasons for him jumping ship to the BJP saying that he was fed up after continuous harassment and was forced to quit.
“I was always being asked and even forced to give statements which were against my character. Bhupesh Baghel, Charandas Mahant, Jai Singh Agrawal among others led a pack which was causing mental agony,” he said while addressing media on Sunday.
"As a working president, the Congress had converted me into a mask. There has been no role left in which one can play a key role. Before the media, it was being reflected that all due respect is being accorded," said the BJP leader who was the former Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) working president.
“I was never included in any decision-making matters of the party. Even in distribution of party ticket, no information was being provided to me, as they did not show any confidence nor had any faith in me,” Uike said and added,"Fed up after continuous harassment, I was forced to quit the Congress."
Uike said that Arvind Netam, a former union minister, has been included in the party's core committee just for a showcase.
"Netam should also remember that it was the same Congress which threw him out. Bhanwar Singh Porte was also expelled, " he said.
“Now my target is to work with dedication under the leadership of Chief Minister Raman Singh to help him form a BJP government. The four seats of Korba district would be taken by the BJP, the work would be done on that basis,” he said.
On joining the BJP, he said that it was like home coming and added that he is felt emotional.
Attacking Bhupesh Baghel, he said that the CPCC president do not know how to respect others and is against caste and tribal community and sought an apology from Baghel for terming him 'unlucky'.
"Lack of sensitivity and leadership has been his (Baghel's) weaknesses," Uike said and added that Baghel had brought shame to the state's women by getting involved in the sleaze-CD case.
He said the issue of termination of Baghel's membership was raised with the national leadership but nothing happened.