Ajit Jogi passes away: President Kovind, V-P Naidu offer condolences

Chhattisgarh's first chief minister, Ajit Jogi, passed away at Raipur hospital due to prolonged illness. He was 74.

Ajit Jogi, the first chief minister of Chhattisgarh, passed away due to a prolonged illness on Friday. Ajit Jogi, 74, was had suffered several cardiac arrests in the past few days and was on ventilator support while doctors tried to revive his brain activity.

Ajit Jogi is survived by his wife Renu Jogi and son Amit Jogi, who took to Twitter to inform about his tragic demise.

After the news broke, condolences poured in from several political leaders. President Ram Nath Kovind, via his official Twitter handle, said, "Sad to hear of the passing of first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Ajit Jogi. A man of many parts, Shri Jogi was an able administrator known for promoting development of the State and its people. My condolences to his family, friends and followers."

Vice-President Venakaiah Naidu also expressed his sadness on the leader's death. "Saddened by the demise of Shri Ajit Jogi, the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and a former Member of Parliament. My condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace," his official handle tweeted.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan was among the first to express his grief on Ajit Jogi's demise.

"I am saddened by the death of the senior leader of Chhattisgarh and former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. I pay my respects to him. My condolences to the heartbroken family. May God give peace to the departed soul and provide support to their families in this difficult time. Om Shanti," wrote on Twitter.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also extended his support to the grieving family. "My heartfelt condolences at the passing away of former CM of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi ji. My thoughts and prayers are with his family members in this hour of grief...may God gives them the strength to bear the loss. May his soul rest in peace," he said in a social media post.

NCP leader Nawab Malik also offered his condolences to the family.

Former Union minister Suresh Prabhu said, "Very sad to know about unfortunate passing away of Ajit Jogi .Deep condolences to his family. We worked together in parliament. Will remember him for his contribution to Chattisgarh and his role in public life. Om Shanti."

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also expressed his sorrow at Ajit Jogi's demise.

A former bureaucrat, Ajit Jogi became the chief minister of Chhattisgarh when the state came into existence in November 2000 as leader of then Congress government. He remained on the post for three years.

Ajit Jogi parted ways with the Congress in 2016 and formed Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J).