Jogi hurt in road mishap

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi was seriously injured in a road accident early on Sunday morning, police said.

The accident took place near Gariabandh in Raipur district, about 140 km from the state capital, when the vehicle he was travelling in hit a roadside tree at about 3.35 am, Raipur police said.

Jogi, the Congress candidate from the Mahasamund parliamentary constituency, sustained head injuries and is being brought to Raipur for treatment, police said.

At the time of the mishap, Jogi was accompanied by some security personnel and party workers, they added.

Meanwhile, Jogi, who suffered multiple injuries, has been admitted to the intensive care unit of Modern Medical Institute, a private nursing home in Raipur.

Alongwith Jogi, another senior Congress leader Mehttar Lal Sahu and driver of the vehcile Sabbir have also been admitted to the ICU of the same hospital.

Jogi's party supporters said he sustained injuries in his head, arms and waist and he is in a very serious condition.

Chief Minister Raman Singh spoke to Jogi's wife Renu and assured to provide all possible assistance.

"Government will provide all possible help without any delay," the Chief Minister said.

Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, who is in Chhattisgarh, also spoke to Renu over phone and wished the speedy recovery of Jogi, Singh said.

Expressing concerns about Jogi's condition, Advani said that all medical assistance would be provided to the former Chief Minister and experts from Delhi and Mumbai would be brought in if necessary.

The Chief Minister, who is with Advani in his Bharat Uday Yatra, has directed state Home Minister Brij Mohan Agrawal and officials to be at the nursing home to provide all help.

Doctors said Jogi was in a semi-conscious state. An MRI was being conducted on him and based on its report he would be moved to a Mumbai hospital.

Party President Sonia Gandhi telephoned Jogi's wife to enquire about his condition.

Jogi's rival in the poll fray Shukla and state Governor Lt Gen KM Seth also visited him in the hospital.