Ajit Jogi's son, wife in Cong's 2nd list of candidates for assembly polls

Amit and Renu Jogi, son and wife of the former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi figure in the list of 45 Congress candidates for assembly polls in the state.

Arun Vora, son of AICC Treasurer Motilal Vora, and Amitesh Shukla, son of late Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shyamacharan Shukla, also have been nominated by the party.

The list indicates the imprint of Ajit Jogi over ticket distribution.

Amit has been given nomination from Marwahi-ST, a constituency being represented by his father. Renu has been renominated from Kota.

While Arun Vora has been made a candidate from Durg City, Amitesh from Rajim.

Leader of the Opposition Ravindra Choubey and senior state leader T S Singhdeo as also PCC Coordinator Bhupesh Baghel have also been renominated.

Almost the entire top brass of the party in the state was wiped out in a deadly Naxal attack in May this year. The party has already declared 17 candidates in its first list. Among those names are relatives of three slain party leaders - Umesh Patel, son of slain party chief Nand Kumar Patel, Devti Karma wife of Mahendra Karma, former leader of opposition in the state and Alka Mudaliyar, wife of former MLA Uday Mudaliyar.

Factionalism is rampant within the state Congress which has delayed the appointment of the Campaign Committee chief although Jogi is said to be eyeing the post as it would make him a chief ministerial contender.