Double whammy for Jogi's Janata Congress; Richa Jogi's nomination rejected

After the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) chief Ajit Jogi's certificate of being a Kanwar tribal was rejected by the state-level inquiry committee, his wife Richa Jogi’s caste certificate was also canceled ahead of Chhattisgarh by-polls.

Bilaspur:Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC(J)) has suffered a double whammy in the political tussle of Marwahi after the election nominations of the party's power couple -- Amit Jogi and Richa Jogi-- were turned down by the district election officer. A state-level inquiry committee had revoked Amit Jogi's caste certificate after he filed nomination for the by-election in Marwahi assembly seat. Richa Jogi's nomination was cancelled after the Mungeli District Level Investigation Committee suspended her caste certificate.

Amit Jogi lashes out at Baghel government and election officer

Amit Jogi targeted the Baghel government after his nomination was canceled. Jogi said that the country is run by the law and the constitution and not from Badlapur and Jogeria. "They think that they will wrestle alone and win the tournament alone. The public should not be considered to be so helpless and stupid," said Jogi.

"Rejecting my nomination at the behest of the Chief Minister is an insult of Late Ajit Jogi and the people of Marwahi. After trying everything in his might, this was the last resort where the Chief Minister could have taken refuge to avoid his definite defeat in the election," said Amit Jogi launching attack on Chief Minsiter Baghel.

He accused the Baghel government of insulting the Jogi family. Junior Jogi said that one who has the hands of the public and the poor on his head can never be considered an orphan.

Amit Jogi has hinted his plans to move the court. "I have full faith in the judiciary and the court of the people. As always, justice will be done with the Jogi family," he said.

Scrutiny committee decided under the statutory process: Minister Ravindra Choubey

Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said that for 20 to 25 years, scrutiny committees have been giving decisions on matters of caste. But many times a stay was granted through the court or even the existence of the investigation committee was questioned. The decision of the investigation committee was challenged in the court.

BJP advocates aclean election process

BJP has also raised objection to the cancellation of Ajit Jogi's nomination citing issues with caste certificate. "We have been saying that elections should be fair, elections should be free, one should not fear elections. Brijmohan Aggarwal said that no one should run away from elections. Whatever is the issue of caste certificate at the time of nomination, it is not morally appropriate. We are saying from day one that Congress is feeling that it will not win the election. This is the reason why Congress has put in all its might in the Marwahi by-election," Senior BJP MLA and former minister Brijmohan Agrawal.

Case of Amit Jogi's caste and facts related to it

BJP leader Sameera Packra and tribal leader Sant Kumar Netam had demanded the cancellation of Amit Jogi's caste certificate with immediate effect.

In the complaint, the High Power Committee in 2019, also mentioned the decision to revoke the caste certificate of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, along with the FIR regarding the birthplace of Amit Jogi.

The complaint letter said the caste certificate was issued to Amit Jogi within two days by ignoring the rules and without examining the documents.

On 17 June, tribal leader Sant Kumar Netam had appealed to the Collector of Gorella-Pendra-Marwahi to cancel the caste certificate of Amit Jogi in the case.

Ajit Jogi was also booked in the case of fake caste certificate

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Late Ajit Jogi was not considered a tribe in the report of the High-Power Committee on caste.

After this, the high-level certification screening committee in Chhattisgarh had rejected former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi's certificate of being Kanwar tribe.

In 2011, the Supreme Court directed the then Raman Singh government of Chhattisgarh to constitute a committee to find out the caste of former IAS officer Jogi.

In June 2017, the committee, in its investigation, did not consider Jogi to be a tribe. Jogi reached the High Court against this finding. In 2018, the Chhattisgarh High Court formed the High Powered Scrutiny Committee for the second time.

Richa Jogi's caste certificate suspended, nomination canceled

In the Richa Jogi’s caste certificate case, a caveat was filed on behalf of the complainant Santkumar Netam and he had also complained to the chairman of the district level caste screening committee of Mungeli.

Sant Kumar Netam had accused Richa Jogi of wrongfully acquiring a caste certificate and demanded that it be revoked soon.

In this regard, the District Level Investigation Committee issued notice on September 29 and sought response from Richa till October 8, but instead of Richa, her brother appeared before the investigating committee.

Notice was again sent to Richa Jogi. In the notice, she was asked to reply till 12 October.

Richa Jogi, instead of appearing before the investigation committee herself, sent her reply via email.

Richa Jogi's brother Rishabh Sadhu appeared before the verification committee with her response. He presented all the documents sought before the verification committee.

The district-level investigation committee suspended the caste certificate of Richa Jogi.

What can happen next?

After the cancellation Amit Jogi may move the court. At the same time, the nomination of Richa Jogi has also been canceled. In such a situation, it remains to be seen what steps will the Jogi Congress will take.