In the thick of an embarrassing expose involving him, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi appeared unapologetic about his letter of support to a rebel BJP Chief Minister saying his move was aimed at making a tribal to head the Government but admitted he committed a mistake by not consulting the Congress leadership.
"I have no regrets whatsoever. Why should I feel sorry for supporting a tribal to become the Chief Minister," he told PTI when asked about his alleged role in the tape controversy.
Jogi, who has shifted from the Chhattisgarh Bhawan to the residence of a Congress MP Ramadhar Kashyap, said he had taken the decision "in the interest of both - his party and the tribal community."
Maintaining that he did not try to break the BJP MLAs, Jogi said he had even told them that his letter would have no constitutional importance or sanctity since he was not authorised to issue it.
Describing himself as "out and out a Congressman," Jogi on Monday night ruled out resigning from Congress and said there was no question of forming a regional outfit in the state. He, however, asserted that all the 38 elected Congress MLAs were with him.
Showering praise on his party and its president, Jogi said the party was very good to him. It had not only contacted him and called him to Delhi immediately, but also constituted a committee to go into the matter. "Whatever Congress does is correct," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Showering praise on his party and its president, Jogi said the party was very good to him. It had not only contacted him and called him to Delhi immediately, but also constituted a committee to go into the matter. "Whatever Congress does is correct," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Asked whether the Congress had done injustice by suspending him, he said, "Not at all. I think whatever the party does is always correct. They have taken an overall view and the right decision."
To a question whether he would float a party "based on Chhattisgarhi pride", he said, "This is all humbug. I have been a Congressman, I will remain a Congressman. And I have only one leader. Her name is Sonia Gandhi. I have full trust and faith in her leadership."
Stating that the party had set up a committee headed by senior leader Pranab Mukherjee to go into the matter, Jogi said he had been given a hearing by the committee. "I know there is justice at the door of (party president) Sonia Gandhi."