Jogi's dilemma

At the launch of an English newspaper in Chhattisgarh’s capital city, BJP Leader Lal Krishna Advani used the occasion to vent his ire on the Congress. Naturally, BJP acolytes in the audience enjoyed this but Advani’s speech created many awkward moments for Ajit Jogi, the sole Congress representative present. When Advani talked about the media, Jogi often clapped in appreciation. But when he said the country’s bright future depended only on the BJP, Jogi looked the other way even as saffron-brigade leaders present in the hall were loudly appreciative. And when Advani talked about the 1975 Emergency and castigated Congress leaders for what he called suppressing the freedom of the press, Jogi conspicuously feigned disinterest. Interested or uninterested, however, Jogi had to hear out what Advani had to say since he was a guest at the event.