Divisions apparent in Chhattisgarh Congress, Ajit Jogi left out of meeting

RAIPUR: Fissures are evident in the Chhattisgarh Congress, ahead of the polls, with former chief minister Ajit Jogi not being invited for the two-day meeting of senior party office bearers that concluded here on Tuesday.
The Congress strongman also criticised the Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing, CharandasMahant, who has been appointed as the working president of Chhattisgarh State Congress Committee (CGPCC), for his purported statement of "sweeping floors on Sonia Gandhi's calling" and said the remarks do not befit the state president's office.
Taking exception to not being invited for the meeting, Jogi told TOI that he could have contributed a great deal to it. "It was an important meeting where crucial decisions were taken and I could have made some valuable suggestions with my experience," he said regretting the fact that those at the helm chose to keep him out.
Mahant, however, attempted to play down the differences by stating that Jogi was "too senior" to be invited for the meeting of party office bearers. "It was a meeting of district presidents and other office bearers. Jogiji is too senior. We will invite him whenever we hold a meeting of senior party leaders," he said, while adding that the former chief minister was a "respected party leader" and his advice was valuable.
Jogi also made it clear that he would attend the forthcoming party events, including Parivartan and Kalash Yatras, only if he is invited for it. "I will not attend any functions or events without invitation," he categorically stated while adding that the onus to invite him was on Mahant.
Taking a dig at the purported statement of Mahant that he would even sweep (jharu) the floors if Congress president Sonia Gandhi desires so, Jogi said the remarks do not befit the state president. "One should prove loyalty by deeds and not mere statements", he said, adding that the PCC president could have chosen better words to express himself.
Interestingly, Mahant, without denying or confirming his controversial statement, said he wasn't a 'chamcha' or a sycophant. "Media can write what they want but I'm not a chamcha. However, my loyalties and dedications are to the party leadership," he said without naming any individual leader.