Change is needed, the sooner the better: OPCC Chief on leadership change

Bhubaneswar: Amidst growing speculations over change of guard in Odisha Congress, party’s state President Niranjan Patnaik today said change is needed, the sooner the better.

Speaking to newsmen over the matter, Patnaik said, “bad people spread only bad messages. Change of leadership is not a new thing. In Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), it is done in every 2-3 years. Change is needed, the sooner the better.”

Worth mentioning Patnaik had resigned from the post in 2019 following the party’s debacle in the general elections but his resignation was not accepted by All India Congress Committee (AICC).

“AICC has not accepted my resignation letter till yet. Have no idea when the high command will take a final call in this regard,” he stated adding that there are many deserving candidates for the post; the one, who will strengthen party’s base in the state, will be appointed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief.

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Sources said a new OPCC Chief is likely to be announced by the end of this month.

Intra-party conflict in Odisha Congress has been growing since long leading to the party’s poor performance in recently-concluded urban and rural civic body polls.

Congress senior leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati, who has been vocal about the change in party’s leadership in the state, recently raised the issue again.

Hinting that all is not well within the party, the Jeypore MLA said, ” a new face should be there as the PCC Chief. An MLA should be appointed for the post, be it Suresh Routray, Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim or any other. We will welcome the move.”