New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today (Dec 9, 2003) expressed "anguish" on developments in Chhattisgarh involving former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi saying he should not have written a letter to the Governor expressing support for a splinter group of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) MLAs and sought a "thorough" investigation into the affair.

"On recent developments in Chhattisgarh involving Jogi, I express my anguish. In the face of a clear verdict of the people and the fact that he had ceased to be the leader of Congress Legislative Party (CLP), he should never have written letter to the Governor expressing support of the CLP for the splinter group of BJP MLAs," Gandhi said addressing a general body meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party.

"This simply cannot be condoned", she said, adding as regards other allegations of BJP in the matter "we are for a thorough and impartial investigation".

Party members from both the Houses of Parliament attended the meeting, coinciding with Gandhi's 58th birthday today (Dec 9). They later greeted her on the occasion.

PTI