After the series of outburst and resignations in protest of denying tickets to senior leaders, the Congress party is in damage control mode with party’s national secretary and in-charge of Chhattisgarh Bhakta Charan Das making bid to calm down the frayed nerves of Bastar stalwarts.
Notably, in protest of fielding Mohan Markam from Kondagaon, veteran Congress leader Mankuram Sodhi, former Parliamentarian and his son former state minister Shankar Sodhi had sent their resignation in protest of the denial of ticket to the younger Sodhi from Kondagaon Assembly Constituency.
Shankar Sodhi also resigned from district president’s post as also scores of his supporters deserted the party. Though Bhakta Charan Das reportedly contacted both Mankuram Sodhi and Shankar Sodhi to calm down their anger and convince them about the situation, the stance of younger Sodhi was far from amiable with rumours rife all around that he was preparing to contest the seat as Independent candidate. He was also not ready to listen to CGPCC chief Charandas Mahant who called Sodhis on Friday to pacify their anger.
Meanwhile, Bijapur District Panchayat president Nina Rawatiya also resigned from her post in protest of fielding of Vikram Mandawi. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Sakni Chandraiya and his district panchayat member wife Jamuna Sakni have already joined Bharatiya janta Party after deserting Congress in protest of denial of ticket. At the same time, strong contender for party ticket from Chitrakot seat Shankar Thakur also resigned from the party and announced contesting the poll as Independent.
Mohla-Manpur and Jagdalpur seats too are witnessing protests against the party decision to field new faces as many leaders seemed in mood to work openly against the official candidates.
Viewing the defiant mood of the party men, Bhakta Charan Das is likely to make an early visit to Bastar and try his level best to pacify rebellion and convince the angree partymen to work for the official candidates.
According to insiders, the party may consider a few changes in view of the high voltage protests as also a section of the state party leadership already camping in national capital demanding change in the first list of candidates announced a couple of days back.