With bidding tearful adieu to their beloved leaders and workers throughout Sunday as well Monday, Congress fraternity in the State grappled with some unanswered questions left by the biggest ever Maoist attack on a political convoy which devoured more than a dozen Congress leaders including Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee sitting president Nand Kumar Patel, Mahendra Karma, the lion of Bastar and a pillar of Congress strength in that part of the State, Udai Mudliyar, the party’s mainstay in Rajnandgaon besides others.
Some of the questions intriguing the masses as well as the party workers were ‘How the massive preparations of Maoists went out of the radar of State police intelligenceIJ Why the State Government did not pay attention to the threat perception of the opposition party leaders in the hot bed of insurgencyIJ Why the senior Congress leaders did not themselves demand security cover from the district administrationIJ Why the Congress convoy changed the route decided for their return at the eleventh hourIJ If it was a conspiracy hatched to get some leaders killed by opponentsIJ And, if it was a conspiracy, then who are the immediate beneficiaries and last but not the least ‘What course the
State Congress will take to fill the void created by this massacre of Patel, Karma, Mudliyar and a host of party workersIJ
As the National Investigation Agency team has reached State capital to probe the questions related to security lapses, conspiracy angles or systemic failures leading to the attack, the most important question needed a quick look is How the Congress party will fill the void created by the murder of Patel.
Patel being a hard worker had activated the party throughout state in very short time and filling his place is not so easy but in the present scenario, two groups are at the forefront.
Former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi’s group which was at the sidelines till Saturday, has become active taking the centre-stage not only in raising the issue of security lapses and launching frontal attack on the ruling party but also in demanding dismissal of the State Government.
However, distrust of party high command and his over active style of working, some time even over stepping the party limits may harm his prospects. In that case he may forward the name of his better half and Kota MlA Mrs Renu Jogi. But the chances of her being given the rein of the party in the State are very thin.
Another figure which could be considered for State party president’s post is Union Minister Charandas Mahant. His experience as CGPCC chief earlier, active participation in party activities throughout State including in Parivartan Yatra and his close proximity with the party high command make Mahant strongest contender for the post.
Other figures in the line are Bhupesh Baghel, leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Ravindra Choubey, senior Congress leader Satya Narayan Sharma, Dr Sakrajit Nayak, Ambikapur MlA TS Singhdeo and Mungeli MlA Dharanjit Singh. Given the leanings of Choubey, Dr Sakrajit Nayak, Dharamjit Singh towards Jogi group whereas Baghel, Satya Narayan Sharma and T S Singhdeo more or less aligned with Charandas Mahant, the fight is mainly between the two – Jogi and Mahant out of which Mahant has better chance of filling the void.