Congress seeks explanation from Jogi on alleged bypoll fixing in Antagarh

The Disciplinary Action Committee of Congress has sought an explanation from former chief minister Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi over the alleged "fixing" of a by-poll in Antagarh assembly seat.

The grand old party's top state panel in Chhattisgarh had recommended that the former chief minister Jogi should be suspended, about a week after leaked audio clips suggested that Jogi and his son tried to broker a deal for the BJP so the Congress candidate would withdraw from the fray.

The Pradesh Congress Committee of Chhattisgarh (PCC) had expelled MLA Amit Jogi for six years over his alleged role in fixing a by-election that led to a BJP win.

Congress's disciplinary committee, headed by former defence minister AK Antony, was to review the recommendations about the former chief minister.

Last year, Congress candidate Manturam Pawar had abruptly pulled out of the contest at the Antagarh assembly seat a day before the final date of withdrawal of names. The election was won by the BJP. Pawar was expelled from the Congress and he joined the BJP in March.

The tapes sparked a huge political storm in Chhattisgarh with state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel serving a show-cause notice to Amit Jogi last month, while the Jogis and Chief Minister Raman Singh have denied any involvement.