Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi passed away on Friday, his son announced today.

The former Congress leader had served as Chhattisgarh's first chief minister from 2000 to 2003.

Jogi,74, had suffered a heart attack earlier in the month and was on ventilator support in a Raipur hospital in Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;

He had expelled by Congress in 2016 for six years due to anti-party activities along with his son Amit. The former Chhattisgarh CM then founded the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi passed away on Friday, his son announced today. The former Congress leader had served as Chhattisgarh's first chief minister from 2000 to 2003.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi passed away on Friday, his son announced today. The former Congress leader had served as Chhattisgarh's first chief minister from 2000 to 2003. Jogi,74, had suffered a heart attack earlier in the month and was on ventilator support in a Raipur hospital in Chhattisgarh. He had expelled by Congress in 2016 for six years due to anti-party activities along with his son Amit. The former Chhattisgarh CM then founded the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh's first chief minister Ajit Jogi  passes away

Amit Jogi, Janata Congress leader and son of first chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi was arrested in a fake certificate case from his residence in Bilaspur on Tuesday.

Amit Jogi is former MLA of Marwahi(ST) constituency in Chhattisgarh.

The case was registered based on a complaint lodged by Sameera Paikra, BJP candidate from Marwahi constituency in 2013. According to the complaint, Jogi had incorrectly stated his caste and birthplace in the affidavit.

Earlier on August 30, an FIR was registered against father of Amit Jogi and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi in Bilaspur district, days after a government-appointed committee rejected his claim of being a tribal.

A high-level caste scrutiny committee set up by the state government had last week dismissed Ajit Jogi's claim of belonging to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) and cancelled his caste certificates.

Amit Jogi, Janata Congress leader and son of first chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi was arrested in a fake certificate case from his residence in Bilaspur on Tuesday.

Amit Jogi, Janata Congress leader and son of first chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi was arrested in a fake certificate case from his residence in Bilaspur on Tuesday. Amit Jogi is former MLA of Marwahi(ST) constituency in Chhattisgarh. The case was registered based on a complaint lodged by Sameera Paikra, BJP candidate from Marwahi constituency in 2013. According to the complaint, Jogi had incorrectly stated his caste and birthplace in the affidavit. Earlier on August 30, an FIR was registered against father of Amit Jogi and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi in Bilaspur district, days after a government-appointed committee rejected his claim of being a tribal. A high-level caste scrutiny committee set up by the state government had last week dismissed Ajit Jogi's claim of belonging to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) and cancelled his caste certificates.

Amit Jogi, son of ex-Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi arrested for giving false information in election affidavit

Amidst speculation of probable post-poll alliance among political parties, senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo has said there was no need to "look left or right" for any support and his party will form the government in Chhattisgarh on its own.

His comments assume significance as there have been reports of post-poll alliances among different political parties, even before the results are announced.

While <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-elections-2018-voters-counter-maoist-threat-in-chhattisgarh-177306">Chhattisgarh went to polls in two phases</a> on November 12 for 18 seats and on November 20 for 72 seats, the counting of votes is scheduled for December 11 along with the same for four other states including neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

'I am confident of victory. We are getting a clear majority. There is no need to look left or right (for any support or post-poll alliance),'&nbsp;Singh Deo told PTI.

He was asked whether his party would accept support from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi in case it lacks numbers to form the government.

'There has been a misrule in the BJP's tenure. Corruption has gone up in all the government departments. Farmers, in particular, are in a lot of distress. That is the reason why people came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government,'&nbsp;said Singh Deo, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.

The BJP's Raman Singh has been the CM of the state for past 15 years.

Voter turnout of 76.35 per cent was recorded in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/chhattisgarh-assembly-elections-cm-face-and-congress-dilemma-178560">Chhattisgarh Assembly election</a>, a little less than the 77.4 per cent in the 2013 polls.

Talking about the Congress party's poll manifesto, which is also called as the 'Jan Ghoshana Patra', Singh Deo said feedback from the people living in almost all the districts of the state were taken into account as part of the planning process.

"It took six long months for our teams to visit the whole state and to record feedback in our party's manifesto. We consulted over 80,000 people. We have offered the availability of water, electricity subsidy and good price of farmers produce to address farmers distress in the state apparently due to the government's apathy. There are so many 'pro-people' proposals outlined in the manifesto," Singh Deo said.

Many Congress leaders have termed the Jan Ghoshana Patra as the game changer.

'Farmers and people from rural areas came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government in the state. It will bring the result,"'another senior Congress leader said.

When asked who would be their CM candidate in case the Congress comes to power in Chhattisgarh, he said winning MLAs will choose their leader and the chief minister would be decided by the party high command in Delhi.

Earlier, talking to PTI, Singh Deo had said the chief minister's face of the Congress will be elected through "Swayamvar" after the poll results are announced.

"There are many good people in the party who have done very good work. So there will be a 'Swayamvar' after the poll victory," he had said.&nbsp;

Amidst speculation of probable post-poll alliance among political parties, senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo has said there was no need to "look left or right" for any support and his party will form the government in Chhattisgarh on its own.

Amidst speculation of probable post-poll alliance among political parties, senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo has said there was no need to "look left or right" for any support and his party will form the government in Chhattisgarh on its own. His comments assume significance as there have been reports of post-poll alliances among different political parties, even before the results are announced. While Chhattisgarh went to polls in two phases on November 12 for 18 seats and on November 20 for 72 seats, the counting of votes is scheduled for December 11 along with the same for four other states including neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. 'I am confident of victory. We are getting a clear majority. There is no need to look left or right (for any support or post-poll alliance),' Singh Deo told PTI. He was asked whether his party would accept support from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi in case it lacks numbers to form the government. 'There has been a misrule in the BJP's tenure. Corruption has gone up in all the government departments. Farmers, in particular, are in a lot of distress. That is the reason why people came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government,' said Singh Deo, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. The BJP's Raman Singh has been the CM of the state for past 15 years. Voter turnout of 76.35 per cent was recorded in the Chhattisgarh Assembly election, a little less than the 77.4 per cent in the 2013 polls. Talking about the Congress party's poll manifesto, which is also called as the 'Jan Ghoshana Patra', Singh Deo said feedback from the people living in almost all the districts of the state were taken into account as part of the planning process. "It took six long months for our teams to visit the whole state and to record feedback in our party's manifesto. We consulted over 80,000 people. We have offered the availability of water, electricity subsidy and good price of farmers produce to address farmers distress in the state apparently due to the government's apathy. There are so many 'pro-people' proposals outlined in the manifesto," Singh Deo said. Many Congress leaders have termed the Jan Ghoshana Patra as the game changer. 'Farmers and people from rural areas came out in large numbers to vote against the BJP government in the state. It will bring the result,"'another senior Congress leader said. When asked who would be their CM candidate in case the Congress comes to power in Chhattisgarh, he said winning MLAs will choose their leader and the chief minister would be decided by the party high command in Delhi. Earlier, talking to PTI, Singh Deo had said the chief minister's face of the Congress will be elected through "Swayamvar" after the poll results are announced. "There are many good people in the party who have done very good work. So there will be a 'Swayamvar' after the poll victory," he had said.

Not looking for any support, will form government in Chhattisgarh on own: Congress

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi Saturday released his party's manifesto on stamp paper for the state Assembly polls and challenged the ruling BJP, and the Congress to do the same.

Jogi said he had released the 14-point manifesto of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) on the stamp paper and therefore was committed to fulfilling the promises mentioned in it.

"If I don't fulfil promises made in it, I can be sent to jail," he said.

The state goes to polls in two phases on November 12 and November 20.

Jogi's party is in an alliance with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party and the CPI. The JCC (J) will contest 55 seats, the BSP 33 and CPI two seats.

Jogi took a swipe at the Congress, his former party and the said its manifesto, titled 'Jan Ghoshna Patra', was a "true copy" of the one he had released on June 6, 2016 when the JCC (J) was formed.

He said the Congress had promised farm loan waiver in Punjab and Karnataka within ten days of coming to power, but had failed to do so even after ten months having passed.

Jogi's manifesto promises Rs 2,500 per quintal MSP for paddy, free power supply to agriculture pumps with a capacity of up to 5 horsepower, and complete waiver of farm loans among others.

He said local youth would be given "cent per cent" reservation in government jobs while 90 per cent of other jobs would be reserved for them.

Unemployed youngsters who had passed Class 12 would be given Rs 1001 as allowance, while graduates and post graduates without jobs would be given Rs 1501 and Rs 2001 respectively.

The manifesto promised regularisation of non-permanent employees like shikshakarmis, panchayat secretaries, employment assistants, Anganwadi workers and the like.

Jogi said if elected to power, his government would go for a ban on liquor in all parts of the state except Scheduled areas.

The manifesto said the party would open a Rs 1 lakh joint account for every newborn girl child along with respective district collectors.

The girl will get this amount, along with interest, when she attains 18 years of age, it said.

His government will provide 45 kg rice, 10 kg wheat, 5 kg pulses, 5 kg salt, 2 kg sugar and 5 litres of edible oil to all ration card-holders, except income tax payees among them, Jogi said.

He also promised a cut in state GST and excise on fuel as well as health insurance of Rs 7 lakh and setting up of hospitals on the lines of Delhi's AIIMS in every district of the state.&nbsp;

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi Saturday released his party's manifesto on stamp paper for the state Assembly polls and challenged the ruling BJP, and the Congress to do the same.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi Saturday released his party's manifesto on stamp paper for the state Assembly polls and challenged the ruling BJP, and the Congress to do the same. Jogi said he had released the 14-point manifesto of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) on the stamp paper and therefore was committed to fulfilling the promises mentioned in it. "If I don't fulfil promises made in it, I can be sent to jail," he said. The state goes to polls in two phases on November 12 and November 20. Jogi's party is in an alliance with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party and the CPI. The JCC (J) will contest 55 seats, the BSP 33 and CPI two seats. Jogi took a swipe at the Congress, his former party and the said its manifesto, titled 'Jan Ghoshna Patra', was a "true copy" of the one he had released on June 6, 2016 when the JCC (J) was formed. He said the Congress had promised farm loan waiver in Punjab and Karnataka within ten days of coming to power, but had failed to do so even after ten months having passed. Jogi's manifesto promises Rs 2,500 per quintal MSP for paddy, free power supply to agriculture pumps with a capacity of up to 5 horsepower, and complete waiver of farm loans among others. He said local youth would be given "cent per cent" reservation in government jobs while 90 per cent of other jobs would be reserved for them. Unemployed youngsters who had passed Class 12 would be given Rs 1001 as allowance, while graduates and post graduates without jobs would be given Rs 1501 and Rs 2001 respectively. The manifesto promised regularisation of non-permanent employees like shikshakarmis, panchayat secretaries, employment assistants, Anganwadi workers and the like. Jogi said if elected to power, his government would go for a ban on liquor in all parts of the state except Scheduled areas. The manifesto said the party would open a Rs 1 lakh joint account for every newborn girl child along with respective district collectors. The girl will get this amount, along with interest, when she attains 18 years of age, it said. His government will provide 45 kg rice, 10 kg wheat, 5 kg pulses, 5 kg salt, 2 kg sugar and 5 litres of edible oil to all ration card-holders, except income tax payees among them, Jogi said. He also promised a cut in state GST and excise on fuel as well as health insurance of Rs 7 lakh and setting up of hospitals on the lines of Delhi's AIIMS in every district of the state.

Chhattisgarh elections: Ajit Jogi releases party manifesto on stamp paper

It is an alliance that took shape in just a few hours of discussion and the former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi wants it to continue till the 2019 general elections by projecting his ally and BSP supremo Mayawati as the prime ministerial candidate.

"Mayawatiji deserves to be the country's prime minister. She is appropriate for the post and she has the potential," Jogi said.

Describing the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief as a natural leader, the bureaucrat-turned-politician told PTI in an interview, "There are various things that work in her favour. She is a woman, a Dalit and also has an experience of serving as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh four times."

Jogi, 72, is the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance. He had earlier served as Chhattisgarh's first chief minister as a Congress leader between 2000 and 2003 after the tribal-dominated state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh.

However, the Congress could not return to power after Jogi's tenure ended and the BJP leader Raman Singh has served as its chief minister for nearly 15 years since then. One reason many cite for Congress' failure to come back to power in the state is infighting among various state leaders. Jogi left the Congress in 2016.

While Chhattisgarh has always seen a two-way fight between the arch rivals BJP and Congress, Jogi-Mayawati alliance has become a keenly-watched third force this time. Even Chief Minister Singh, a BJP stalwart in the state where elections for 90 assembly seats would be held in two phases on November 12 and November 20, has acknowledged that Jogi would impact the Bharatiya Janata Party as well as the Congress.

The BSP has one MLA in the outgoing assembly, while its vote share fell to 4.27 per cent in 2013. However, combining of forces between Jogi and Mayawati is being seen as having a multiplier effect, especially in terms of caste equations.

Out of 90 total seats, 29 are reserved for tribals and 10 for Scheduled Castes. In the non-reserved seats, the population of SCs is more than 10 per cent in 40 assemblies. Besides, the other backward classes constitute about 48 per cent of the state's population.

While Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party is known to attract Dalit voters, Jogi himself is said to have a stronghold among voters from his caste base of Mahars and Satnamis.

Pitching Mayawati's name for the prime minister, Jogi said the BSP supremo deserves the country's top post and she is an appropriate candidate for it.

"The alliance between these two parties is a natural alliance and it will last beyond 2019 general elections," Jogi said.

When asked how the alliance was formed between the two parties, Jogi said it took just a few hours to forge the partnership as both parties are almost on the same page ideologically.

"I met Mayawatiji and we discussed for few hours and then decided to contest the election together for the state assembly and I will be the chief ministerial candidate," Jogi said.

Talking about the two-phase polls, Jogi said the real contest would be between the JCC-BSP alliance and the ruling BJP, while he termed the Congress a "spent force".

The Congress has no organisation, no workers in the state and above all it is without any leader, he said.

Jogi's daughter-in-law Richa Jogi is contesting on BSP ticket from Akaltara constituency in Janjgir-Champa district.&nbsp;

Till recently, the four-member Jogi family was representing three different political parties.

While Jogi and his son are in the JCC, Jogi's wife -- Renu Jogi -- was with the Congress before being denied ticket and has now switched sides to his husband's party.&nbsp;

Many poll pundits feel Jogi could also play the role of a kingmaker in Chhattisgarh in case of a hung verdict, while his alignment with Mayawati could give him a noticeable say for the Lok Sabha elections next year, especially during of alignment of non-BJP forces to take on the saffron party.

Jogi is known to have some influence in Madhya Pradesh as well, besides Chhattisgarh and the two states together account for 40 Lok Sabha seats, including 15 reserved for SC/ST candidates.

In UP, where Mayawati is a strong force, there are total 80 Lok Sabha seats, including 17 reserved for SC.

Mayawati's party also has some presence in several other states and union territories, including Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Bihar, besides Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The 62-year Dalit leader served as chief minister for three brief periods, first being in 1995, before she had a full five-year tenure during 2007-2012. However, her last tenure was also marked with allegations of corruption.

Besides, she has had three terms each in Lok Sabha and in Rajya Sabha.

In the last Lok Sabha polls in 2014, the BSP did not get a single seat but it was the third largest party in terms of vote share (over 4 per cent with nearly 2.3 crore voters).

The party candidates came second on as many as 34 seats, while its vote share in Uttar Pradesh was nearly 20 per cent.

The BSP had won 21 Lok Sabha seats in 2009 elections. In the Uttar Pradesh assembly, the BSP had got 206 out of 403 assembly seats in 2007, but the tally took a deep plunge to 80 in 2012 and even deeper to just 19 in the 2017 state elections.

Jogi's alliance with Mayawati is seen as significant as the Dalit leader from Uttar Pradesh was also being wooed by the Congress and other opposition parties for a broader non-BJP alliance ahead of the 2019 general elections to give a united fight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It is an alliance that took shape in just a few hours of discussion and the former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi wants it to continue till the 2019 general elections by projecting his ally and BSP supremo Mayawati as the prime ministerial candidate.

It is an alliance that took shape in just a few hours of discussion and the former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi wants it to continue till the 2019 general elections by projecting his ally and BSP supremo Mayawati as the prime ministerial candidate. "Mayawatiji deserves to be the country's prime minister. She is appropriate for the post and she has the potential," Jogi said. Describing the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief as a natural leader, the bureaucrat-turned-politician told PTI in an interview, "There are various things that work in her favour. She is a woman, a Dalit and also has an experience of serving as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh four times." Jogi, 72, is the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance. He had earlier served as Chhattisgarh's first chief minister as a Congress leader between 2000 and 2003 after the tribal-dominated state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. However, the Congress could not return to power after Jogi's tenure ended and the BJP leader Raman Singh has served as its chief minister for nearly 15 years since then. One reason many cite for Congress' failure to come back to power in the state is infighting among various state leaders. Jogi left the Congress in 2016. While Chhattisgarh has always seen a two-way fight between the arch rivals BJP and Congress, Jogi-Mayawati alliance has become a keenly-watched third force this time. Even Chief Minister Singh, a BJP stalwart in the state where elections for 90 assembly seats would be held in two phases on November 12 and November 20, has acknowledged that Jogi would impact the Bharatiya Janata Party as well as the Congress. The BSP has one MLA in the outgoing assembly, while its vote share fell to 4.27 per cent in 2013. However, combining of forces between Jogi and Mayawati is being seen as having a multiplier effect, especially in terms of caste equations. Out of 90 total seats, 29 are reserved for tribals and 10 for Scheduled Castes. In the non-reserved seats, the population of SCs is more than 10 per cent in 40 assemblies. Besides, the other backward classes constitute about 48 per cent of the state's population. While Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party is known to attract Dalit voters, Jogi himself is said to have a stronghold among voters from his caste base of Mahars and Satnamis. Pitching Mayawati's name for the prime minister, Jogi said the BSP supremo deserves the country's top post and she is an appropriate candidate for it. "The alliance between these two parties is a natural alliance and it will last beyond 2019 general elections," Jogi said. When asked how the alliance was formed between the two parties, Jogi said it took just a few hours to forge the partnership as both parties are almost on the same page ideologically. "I met Mayawatiji and we discussed for few hours and then decided to contest the election together for the state assembly and I will be the chief ministerial candidate," Jogi said. Talking about the two-phase polls, Jogi said the real contest would be between the JCC-BSP alliance and the ruling BJP, while he termed the Congress a "spent force". The Congress has no organisation, no workers in the state and above all it is without any leader, he said. Jogi's daughter-in-law Richa Jogi is contesting on BSP ticket from Akaltara constituency in Janjgir-Champa district. Till recently, the four-member Jogi family was representing three different political parties. While Jogi and his son are in the JCC, Jogi's wife -- Renu Jogi -- was with the Congress before being denied ticket and has now switched sides to his husband's party. Many poll pundits feel Jogi could also play the role of a kingmaker in Chhattisgarh in case of a hung verdict, while his alignment with Mayawati could give him a noticeable say for the Lok Sabha elections next year, especially during of alignment of non-BJP forces to take on the saffron party. Jogi is known to have some influence in Madhya Pradesh as well, besides Chhattisgarh and the two states together account for 40 Lok Sabha seats, including 15 reserved for SC/ST candidates. In UP, where Mayawati is a strong force, there are total 80 Lok Sabha seats, including 17 reserved for SC. Mayawati's party also has some presence in several other states and union territories, including Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Bihar, besides Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The 62-year Dalit leader served as chief minister for three brief periods, first being in 1995, before she had a full five-year tenure during 2007-2012. However, her last tenure was also marked with allegations of corruption. Besides, she has had three terms each in Lok Sabha and in Rajya Sabha. In the last Lok Sabha polls in 2014, the BSP did not get a single seat but it was the third largest party in terms of vote share (over 4 per cent with nearly 2.3 crore voters). The party candidates came second on as many as 34 seats, while its vote share in Uttar Pradesh was nearly 20 per cent. The BSP had won 21 Lok Sabha seats in 2009 elections. In the Uttar Pradesh assembly, the BSP had got 206 out of 403 assembly seats in 2007, but the tally took a deep plunge to 80 in 2012 and even deeper to just 19 in the 2017 state elections. Jogi's alliance with Mayawati is seen as significant as the Dalit leader from Uttar Pradesh was also being wooed by the Congress and other opposition parties for a broader non-BJP alliance ahead of the 2019 general elections to give a united fight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Took just few hours to forge alliance with Mayawati, will project her as PM candidate: Ajit Jogi

The Congress on Thursday released its fifth and final list of 19 candidates for this month's Chhattisgarh Assembly election.

Party MLA Gurmukh Singh Hora, Lok Sabha MP Tamradhwaj Sahu and popular Chhattisgarhi singer Mamta Chandrakar feature in the list.

The party has thus announced candidates for all the 90 seats in the state.

Chhattisgarh will go to the polls in two phases - on November 12 and November 20 - and the results will be announced on December 11.

The opposition party had earlier nominated Pratima Chandrakar from the Durg Rural seat, but now she has been replaced by Tamradhwaj Sahu, the Congress MP from Durg.

Renu Jogi, the MLA from Kota and the wife of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, has been denied a ticket this time. Former police officer Vibhor Singh will be the Congress candidate from Kota.

The party has fielded new faces to take on four prominent state ministers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Shailesh Pandey of the Congress will face minister Amar Agrawal in Bilaspur. Kanhaiya Agrawal will take on minister Brijmohan Agrawal in the Raipur City South constituency.

Laxmikanta Sahu, a woman Congress leader, has been fielded against minister Ajay Chandrakar in Kurud, while Gurdayal Singh Banjare will take on minister Dayaldas Baghel in Nawagarh.

The other new faces in the Congress's list are - Mamta Chandrakar (Pandariya), Rajendra Shukla (Bilha), Anil Kumar Chandra (Jaijaipur), Sangeeta Sinha (Sanjari Balod), Kunwar Singh Nishad (Gundardehi), Prakash Nayak (Raigarh), Ashish Chhabra (Bemetara) and Chakradhar Prasad Sidar (Lailunga-ST).

Anita Sharma, wife of Congress leader Yogendra Sharma, who was killed in a Naxal attack in the Jhiram Valley in May 2013, has been fielded again from Dharsiwa. She had lost to the BJP's Devji Bhai Patel in the 2013 Assembly polls.

Congress MLA from Dhamtari, Gurmukh Singh Hora, has been renominated from the same seat.

Other candidates in the list are Devendra Bahadur Singh (Basna), Kuldeep Juneja (Raipur City North) and Badruddin Qureshi (Vaishali Nagar).

The Congress is seeking to oust the BJP, which has been ruling the state since 2003.

In the 2013 polls, the BJP had won 49 seats, the Congress 39 and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and an Independent candidate had won a seat each.

Former Congress leader Ajit Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) has formed an alliance with the Mayawati-led BSP and the Communist Party of India (CPI) this time.

The Congress on Thursday released its fifth and final list of 19 candidates for this month's Chhattisgarh Assembly election. Party MLA Gurmukh Singh Hora, Lok Sabha MP Tamradhwaj Sahu and popular Chhattisgarhi singer Mamta Chandrakar feature in the list.

The Congress on Thursday released its fifth and final list of 19 candidates for this month's Chhattisgarh Assembly election. Party MLA Gurmukh Singh Hora, Lok Sabha MP Tamradhwaj Sahu and popular Chhattisgarhi singer Mamta Chandrakar feature in the list. The party has thus announced candidates for all the 90 seats in the state. Chhattisgarh will go to the polls in two phases - on November 12 and November 20 - and the results will be announced on December 11. The opposition party had earlier nominated Pratima Chandrakar from the Durg Rural seat, but now she has been replaced by Tamradhwaj Sahu, the Congress MP from Durg. Renu Jogi, the MLA from Kota and the wife of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, has been denied a ticket this time. Former police officer Vibhor Singh will be the Congress candidate from Kota. The party has fielded new faces to take on four prominent state ministers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shailesh Pandey of the Congress will face minister Amar Agrawal in Bilaspur. Kanhaiya Agrawal will take on minister Brijmohan Agrawal in the Raipur City South constituency. Laxmikanta Sahu, a woman Congress leader, has been fielded against minister Ajay Chandrakar in Kurud, while Gurdayal Singh Banjare will take on minister Dayaldas Baghel in Nawagarh. The other new faces in the Congress's list are - Mamta Chandrakar (Pandariya), Rajendra Shukla (Bilha), Anil Kumar Chandra (Jaijaipur), Sangeeta Sinha (Sanjari Balod), Kunwar Singh Nishad (Gundardehi), Prakash Nayak (Raigarh), Ashish Chhabra (Bemetara) and Chakradhar Prasad Sidar (Lailunga-ST). Anita Sharma, wife of Congress leader Yogendra Sharma, who was killed in a Naxal attack in the Jhiram Valley in May 2013, has been fielded again from Dharsiwa. She had lost to the BJP's Devji Bhai Patel in the 2013 Assembly polls. Congress MLA from Dhamtari, Gurmukh Singh Hora, has been renominated from the same seat. Other candidates in the list are Devendra Bahadur Singh (Basna), Kuldeep Juneja (Raipur City North) and Badruddin Qureshi (Vaishali Nagar). The Congress is seeking to oust the BJP, which has been ruling the state since 2003. In the 2013 polls, the BJP had won 49 seats, the Congress 39 and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and an Independent candidate had won a seat each. Former Congress leader Ajit Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) has formed an alliance with the Mayawati-led BSP and the Communist Party of India (CPI) this time.

Congress releases final list of 19 candidates for Chhattisgarh polls

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/would-ban-alcohol-but-not-for-tribals-ex-chhattisgarh-chief-minister-ajit-jogi-153615">allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi</a>'s party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP.

The main opposition party was hoping for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party to take on the BJP in upcoming polls.

It said the BSP has allied with Jogi, an ex-Congressman, as it was facing heat from central government agencies.

The Congress said the alliance between the BSP and Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) has the support of the BJP, which is ruling the state since 2003.

The alliance between the BSP and the JCC was announced in Lucknow Thursday by Mayawati, who said Jogi will be its chief ministerial candidate. According to her, the

BSP will contest 35 seats and the JCC 55 in the 90-member House.

"Pressure from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate on the BSP has led to the creation of this alliance.

"This alliance had been formed with the BJP's support and the people of the state had an understanding of it," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said Thursday.

He claimed the BSP had been fielding candidates on the direction of the BJP in all elections in the state so far.

"In the coming polls too, the BSP will field candidates as per the ruling party's choice. This time the party has been exposed by supporting Jogi who has acted as a 'B' team of the BJP," Baghel said.

On the other hand, the BJP said it sees no threat from the BSP-JCC tie-up and is hopeful that the alliance will benefit it.

"Hopes of the Congress were dashed as it had been trying for an alliance with the BSP. The political scenario emerging after the alliance between the BSP and the JCC reflects that the state will see a triangular fight in the coming election," state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik said.

"However, the BJP is not at all worried as it (BSP-JCC tie-up) will benefit the party and it will storm back to power for a fourth consecutive term," Kaushik said.

The BJP had been working on a mission to win 65 of the 90 assembly seats this time and it will achieve its goal, Kaushik said.

Political observers said the alliance has come as a jolt to the Congress, which was hoping to end the long reign of the BJP in the state.

The BJP and the Congress have dominated the bipolar political landscape in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, and there has been a very limited impact of smaller parties in elections.

However, the BSP-JCC alliance will make the contest triangular when the elections are held by the year-end.

"The Congress has suffered a setback with the move as it was attempting to take the BSP to his side for the upcoming election in view of the latter's hold among

Scheduled Caste population, particularly the Satnami community, in districts like Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh and Bilaspur," veteran journalist Ramesh Nayyar told PTI.

However, the development has made the BJP anxious, Nayyar said.

The BSP-JCC combination will prompt both the national parties to devise strategies to attract Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe voters, who comprise nearly 50 per cent of the population of the state, and Jogi has considerable influence among these sections, he added.

Ajit Jogi's son Amit, a legislator, said only the BSP-JCC alliance is capable of stopping the BJP from coming to power in the state.

"BSP chief Mayawati was well aware of the fact that the Congress is a sinking ship. She knows it is only the JCC which has the potential to snatch power from the ruling BJP," said Amit Jogi, MLA from Marwahi seat.

"The people of the state will get a better alternative this time and very soon a joint programme of both the leaders (Mayawati and Ajit Jogi) will be held in the state," he said. 
In the 2013 poll, the BJP had won 49 seats, Congress 39, the BSP 1 and Independent 1. The BJP had secured 41.04 per cent of the total votes polled, the Congress 40.29 per cent and the BSP 4.27 per cent. 
Ajit Jogi quit the Congress in 2016 and launched his own party.&nbsp;

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi's party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP.

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi's party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP. The main opposition party was hoping for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party to take on the BJP in upcoming polls. It said the BSP has allied with Jogi, an ex-Congressman, as it was facing heat from central government agencies. The Congress said the alliance between the BSP and Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) has the support of the BJP, which is ruling the state since 2003. The alliance between the BSP and the JCC was announced in Lucknow Thursday by Mayawati, who said Jogi will be its chief ministerial candidate. According to her, the BSP will contest 35 seats and the JCC 55 in the 90-member House. "Pressure from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate on the BSP has led to the creation of this alliance. "This alliance had been formed with the BJP's support and the people of the state had an understanding of it," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said Thursday. He claimed the BSP had been fielding candidates on the direction of the BJP in all elections in the state so far. "In the coming polls too, the BSP will field candidates as per the ruling party's choice. This time the party has been exposed by supporting Jogi who has acted as a 'B' team of the BJP," Baghel said. On the other hand, the BJP said it sees no threat from the BSP-JCC tie-up and is hopeful that the alliance will benefit it. "Hopes of the Congress were dashed as it had been trying for an alliance with the BSP. The political scenario emerging after the alliance between the BSP and the JCC reflects that the state will see a triangular fight in the coming election," state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik said. "However, the BJP is not at all worried as it (BSP-JCC tie-up) will benefit the party and it will storm back to power for a fourth consecutive term," Kaushik said. The BJP had been working on a mission to win 65 of the 90 assembly seats this time and it will achieve its goal, Kaushik said. Political observers said the alliance has come as a jolt to the Congress, which was hoping to end the long reign of the BJP in the state. The BJP and the Congress have dominated the bipolar political landscape in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, and there has been a very limited impact of smaller parties in elections. However, the BSP-JCC alliance will make the contest triangular when the elections are held by the year-end. "The Congress has suffered a setback with the move as it was attempting to take the BSP to his side for the upcoming election in view of the latter's hold among Scheduled Caste population, particularly the Satnami community, in districts like Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh and Bilaspur," veteran journalist Ramesh Nayyar told PTI. However, the development has made the BJP anxious, Nayyar said. The BSP-JCC combination will prompt both the national parties to devise strategies to attract Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe voters, who comprise nearly 50 per cent of the population of the state, and Jogi has considerable influence among these sections, he added. Ajit Jogi's son Amit, a legislator, said only the BSP-JCC alliance is capable of stopping the BJP from coming to power in the state. "BSP chief Mayawati was well aware of the fact that the Congress is a sinking ship. She knows it is only the JCC which has the potential to snatch power from the ruling BJP," said Amit Jogi, MLA from Marwahi seat. "The people of the state will get a better alternative this time and very soon a joint programme of both the leaders (Mayawati and Ajit Jogi) will be held in the state," he said. In the 2013 poll, the BJP had won 49 seats, Congress 39, the BSP 1 and Independent 1. The BJP had secured 41.04 per cent of the total votes polled, the Congress 40.29 per cent and the BSP 4.27 per cent. Ajit Jogi quit the Congress in 2016 and launched his own party.

Congress slams BSP over Jogi alliance, sees BJP role in tie-up

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