I have no regrets, says Ajit Jogi

Caught in the middle of a controversy for his alleged attempt to buy Bharatiya Janata Party legislators, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi said he has 'no regrets'.

But Jogi 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 asked 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".

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The former chief minister maintained that he did not try to break the BJP. "I had even told them that my letter would have no constitutional importance or sanctity since I was not authorised to issue it."

Describing himself as 'out and out a Congressman', Jogi ruled out resigning from the party.

To a question whether he would float a party 'based on Chhattisgarhi pride', he said, "This is all humbug. I have been a Congressman and 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."

He, however, asserted that all the 38 elected Congress legislators were with him.

Showering praise on Gandhi, Jogi said the party was very good to him. He said the party 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.

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."