OPCC sets up panel to review ULB poll debacle

Facing a debacle in the recently concluded Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has constituted a high level committee to review the party's dismal performance.
The committee will also find out the activities of dissidents that led to the poor performance of the Congress candidates.
Former Chief Minister and MP Hemananda Biswal will head the committee while senior MLA and party's chief whip Prasad Harichandan has been appointed as the convener of the panel. Other members of the committee are senior leaders Sarat Rout and Radhakant Nayak.
"We have received specific allegations against some party leaders of helping Independent candidates in the civic elections. I have formed a high level committee asking it to give report within 15 days after talking to voters and party activists in different ULBs," said OPCC president Jayadev Jena.

Though Congress had fielded its candidates in all the 66 ULBs, the party could secure clear majority in only 10 bodies and emerged as single largest party in only two bodies. The ruling BJD on the other hand had been able to capture about 45 ULBs. OPCC considered that dissident activities by certain senior leaders led to poor performance of the party's official candidates.
Sources close to OPCC president said the party was seriously contemplating a detailed review after it was defeated in Anandpur NAC of Keonjhar district where Congress won only three seats while BJD grabbed six wards. Anandapur was the stronghold of Congress and native town of OPCC president Jena.

Surprisingly, seven seats were captured by Independent candidates. These seven Independent elected ward members were suspected to be dummy candidates of dissident Congress leaders, they said.