Jogi's economics scores politically

Immediately on taking over as chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi seems to have realised fully the use of economics as a political tool.

Few understood his strategy when Jogi passed a resolution in the Assembly withdrawing legislators' powers to disburse Rs 40 lakh (Rs 4 million) each for constituency development.

The stated objective was centralised development planning; the implicit agenda was to establish Jogi's pre-eminence in the newly carved-out state.

Three years down the line, Jogi's shadow looms over every developmental project in the state. Even village ponds are named after him.

Politics of patronage apart, the Congress chief minister of Chhattisgarh does have an economic vision for his state.

It involves a growth rate of 11.5 per cent, making Chhattisgarh a front-line state by 2010.

And the state's planning commission has incorporated this in its Vision 2012, although some of it members claim that Jogi is selling mere dreams to a people used to endemic poverty.

Jogi's political promises for this election include setting up a Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) -- since 34-odd seats in 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly are reserved, many sections are not represented in the House -- and more districts.

Both moves are calculated to prospective rebels happy. But Jogi drums up a fairly sound economic case for the move.

He has already fixed his establishment cost not to exceed 40 per cent of revenues. "Now we have reduced it to 30 per cent and have a 10 per cent cushion to set up the Vidhan Parishad and create new districts," he says.

Similarly, his announcement of making Chhattisgarh tax-free may be far-fetched but he has used this to seek more mining royalty from the Centre.

Contrast Jogi's style of functioning with the BJP's promises of giving cows to every tribal family, jobs to everyone and rice centres for tribals. But elections are not only about economics, unless Jogi proves it wrong.