Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Friday hinted that former CM and Janta Congress chief Ajit Jogi will not be “untouchable” for the BJP in post-poll scenario in the state.
In an exclusive interview to India TV, Raman Singh conceded that the alliance between Ajit Jogi-led Janta Congress and Mayawati-led BSP has the potential to emerge as the third force in the state, adding the combine will have an impact on the poll outcome.
The chief minister further said that the Janta Congress-BSP alliance will influence elections in 25-30 assembly seats.
“Ajit Jodi-BSP alliance commands a big vote share that will have an impact in 25-30 assembly seats. They are capable of influencing election results,” Raman Singh told India TV.
However, when asked if he would take Ajit Jogi’s support after assembly results are declared, Raman Singh said that BJP won’t need anybody’s support as the party will get a clear majority on its own.
To a specific question on whether Ajit Jogi will be “untouchable” for the party in post-poll scenario, Raman Singh said,” It’s difficult to speculate on what will happen tomorrow. We’ll take a decision depending on the situation that will emerge.”
Exuding confidence about the BJP achieving its “Mission 65” in upcoming assembly elections, the Chhattisgarh chief minister pointed out that the people of the state have seen the development that has taken place in the state in last 15 years.
Denying that his government is facing an anti-incumbency wave in the state, Raman Singh said that the people are yet to forget how the residents were fleeing the state before BJP came to power in 2003.
“People were dying of starvation. There was stark poverty with an atmosphere of terror prevailing due to Naxal violence. We have changed all that. Development has taken place in the state. We have provided a network of rail and road in the state,” he said.
Responding to a question on Rahul Gandhi’s claims of Congress returning to power in the state in these elections, Raman Singh said that the party made similar claims in 2008 and 2013 assembly elections as well.
“People are yet to forget Congress party’s misrule till 2003,” he added.
Over 76 % voter turnout was recorded during the first phase polling on November 12 when 18 seats of eight Naxal-affected districts went to polls. Of these, 12 were Scheduled Tribe seats while one was a Scheduled Caste-reserved seat.
The ruling BJP had lost 12 of the 18 seats in the 2013 Assembly polls. The remaining 72 constituencies will witness polling on November 20 and counting of votes will be held on December 11.
A total of1,291 candidates are in the fray for the two phased state polls. In the 2013 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 49 seats, Congress 39, BSP 1 and Independent 1 in the 90-member House.
Watch: Ajit Jogi not 'untouchable' for BJP, hints Raman Singh
