Speculation is rife in the Congress circles here that former chief minister Ajit Jogi was being considered for the post of Uttar Pradesh governor in the wake of reports that the ongoing Assembly polls in the state may throw up a highly-fractured mandate, pushing it towards the Central rule.
Sources said Mr Jogi was being viewed as one of the few options by the Congress high command to take up governorship of UP in the event of no party or pre-poll alliance garnering a legislative majority in the 403-member state Assembly after the elections.
Mr Jogi, if made governor of the state at the juncture, may also become useful to “manoeuvre”, a workable majority for the party in such a situation.
Mr Jogi had earlier successfully divided BJP legislative party in Chhattisgarh to lead a minority Congress government in 200-03. Besides, Mr Jogi’s political acumen and administrative skills may also help the party regain its old glory in the state before the crucial 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Sources said Mr Jogi was earlier reportedly offered governorships of Kerala and Jharkhand, but he did not show any interest for the gubernatorial jobs sending the clear message to the high command that he was still a force to reckon with in state politics.