RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh’s first chief minister Ajit Jogi, who launched the Janata Con¬gress Chhattisgarh last year to challenge the state’s ruling B.J.P. and the principal-opposition Congress, suf¬fered a setback with the administration voiding his S.T. status.
The decision to cancel the related certificate – issued by the Tehsildar, Pendra Road – was taken by Bilaspur’s Collector P. Dayanand on July 3 on the basis of a recommendation by a com¬mittee constituted following a Supreme Court directive to examine the authen¬ticity of 71-year-old Jogi’s caste as the matter was pending with the judiciary since the state’s formation.
Following the cancellation, Na¬tional Commission for Scheduled Tribes Chairman N.K. Sai, who is also a petitioner, demanded registering of a F.I.R. against Mr. Jogi for obtain¬ing the certificate on the basis of “fake” documents. He further urged action against Mr. Jogi and his leg¬islator son Amit for having enjoyed government facilities while claiming tribal status.