Congress expels Amit Jogi for six years

The Congress on Wednesday expelled its Chhattisgarh legislator Amit Jogi, son of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, for six years for indulging in anti-party activities. The junior Jogi later said he would challenge his expulsion as the party is not anybody's "Bapoti" (personal property).

The expulsion came in the wake of revelations about Amit Jogi's alleged role in fixing the Antagarh by-election in 2014. The decision was taken during a meet of the Congress state unit in Raipur that also approved a proposal to suspend his father and senior Congress leader Ajit Jogi.

Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said the party had acted, and it was now the Bharatiya Janata Party's turn to act against those involved in the "murder of democracy" in Antagarh.

"The proposal to expel Ajit Jogi was also passed. Since this right is beyond the domain of the state Congress, the proposal to expel him will be sent to All India Congress Committee (AICC)," he said.

Amit Jogi, a legislator from Marwahi, voiced disappointment.

"I am hurt. The decision to expel me without proving the allegations against me is biased and unfair," he said. "I will exercise my right to appeal under Rule 8 of Article 9 of the party's constitution. I have full faith in the party's leadership."

Just after he was expelled, some sitting and former legislators came in the open, extending their support to the Jogis. A large number supporters of Amit Jogi's supporters gathered outside his bungalow.

After being expelled, Amit Jogi said: "Congress is not anyone's 'Bapoti' (personal property). "

He said he would challenge the party's decision in All India Congress Committee (AICC) as he has three weeks for that.

He said he was hurt by the decision. "It is a success of people of the Samanti and Zamindari system and defeat of the Dalit and oppressed tribal. Without conducting any probe, and evidence, this decision is flawed and unjustifiable. I will continue to raise voice for the poor."

"According to our constitution I have the right to appeal. I have full faith in Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi. I have full confidence that I would get justice," he added.

The Congress had earlier issued notice to Amit Jogi over purported conversations that suggested that financial inducement was offered to the party candidate to make him withdraw from the fray in the by-election to the Antagarh assembly seat in 2014.

It also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Raman Singh and a probe into the issue by a Supreme Court judge.