Congress party Wednesday expelled Chhattisgarh, MLA Amit Jogi for six years from the primary membership of the party. The decision was taken by the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee today. Congress state unit also recommended to All India Congress Committee for the expulsion of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi for six years following the controversy over fixing of by-poll held in 2014 for Antagarh assembly seat.
Earlier, the Congress had issued a show-cause notice to Amit Jogi after allegations of fixing of Antagarh bypoll. A leading newspaper ran a story on audio tapes of several phone conversations purportedly between Ajit Jogi, his son Amit Jogi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh’s son-in-law Puneet Gupta. These conversations suggested financial inducements could have been offered to Congress candidate Manturam Pawar.
The Antagarh by-election was held in September 2014. The Congress candidate Manturam Pawar had withdrawn from the contest at the last minute. This election was won by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Pawar was later expelled from Congress. He joined the BJP in March Last year. Election Commission had also directed Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit its report by January 7.