File photo: Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi
After the recent setback for his party in the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections where it failed to dislodge the BJP government, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi today said he would be taking a one-year-long break from "electoral politics".
"I have already said I will not contest Lok Sabha election. I have decided to remain away from electoral politics for a year. I wanted to read, write, do contemplation and perform religious discourse and prayers," he said, talking to reporters here this evening.
He further said, "You can call it an exile or otherwise. I wanted to live a life different from the one I am living for the past several years. In everybody's life, a time comes when your conscience prompts you to take such a decision.
Mr Jogi said his life first as an IAS officer, and later as a politician, had been very hectic all these years.
When asked if the decision follows the son Amit's entry in the politics, he said, "Amit has nothing to do with this. As a father I discharged my duties."
Amit won from Marwahi in the recent elections.
Mr Jogi also said he would not travel for campaigning for the party in Lok Sabha polls. But he said he would be available at his home to the media.
On the Ahmedabad magistrate's decision on Zakia Jafri's plea in Mr Modi case, Mr Jogi said it was not a final verdict as appeal can be filed.