J B Patnaik Is Orissa Unit Chief

Orissa Chief Minister J B Patnaik was yesterday unanimously reelected president of the Pradesh Congress committee (PCC) for a third team.

A resolution proposing his continuation in the post was moved in the general body meting of the PCC here yesterday

The resolution moved by Pradesh Congress committee general secretary Jagannath Patnaik said, this meeting of the newly elected OPCC members unanimously elect J B Patnaik as the president of the OPCC in the larger interest of the party.

Earlier, the way for Patnaiks re-election was cleared by the withdrawal of nomination by three contestants for the post, deputy chief minister Hamananda Biswal, Party MLA Ganeswar Behera and former minister Sarat Rout.

With various groups within the party opting for consensus route, the obvious choice fall on J B Patnaik who still commands support of majority of PCC members.

I was unwilling to take up the responsibility, but had to after the request of my senior colleagues who were in favour of a consensus choice for the post to avoid election,

Patnaik told newsmen following his re-election. He said, the party men did not want election for the post at this juncture fearing it may disturb unity.

Patnaik however denied that there was any groupism in the state party unit and asserted that like another democratic setup there was only some differences of opinion among the members.

Patnaik said he would soon launch a programme to revamp the organisation from grass root levels upwards to enable the party meet the combined challenge of BJP, Janata Dal and Left parties in the state more effectively.