Congress takes steps to revive party in Odisha

A three-member central observer team appointed by AICC President Sonia Gandhi on Monday completed discussions with the Congress leaders here for the party's revival in Odisha where it has been out of power for the last 17 years.

The team -- comprising Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Tamrdhwaj Sahu and former Union Minister Jitendra Singh -- will submit a detailed report on the party affairs of the Odisha unit to AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

"The three observers have met all our party office bearers in the state here. They also met senior leaders, MLAs, former MLAs and MPs, and other leaders, including district presidents. Basing on their opinions, the observers will submit their report to Rahulji," said AICC General Secretary and party's Odisha-in-charge B.K. Hariprasad.

He said the requisite roadmap and future course of action of the party would be charted out following the submission of report.

The state unit of Congress is grappling with intense infighting even as Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Prasad Harichandan continues to face opposition from party legislators.

The MLAs led by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra are demanding ouster of the incumbent President and rallying behind former PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik.

The Congress was relegated to third position in the panchayat polls following the internal wranglings while the resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the second position after the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

However, the party leaders hope that the change of guard in the state unit will give a new lease of life to the moribund Congress party.

"The observers met all and gathered reports from them. After their final report is submitted, we all hope that the high command will soon take action, after which Congress activities will gain pace up. All now depends on the high command," said former PCC President Sarat Patnaik.

The central observers met over 600 leaders of the Congress party during their three-day visit to Odisha.

--IANS

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