Former Odisha minister Panchanan Kanungo joins Congress

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo will be seen in Congress camp very soon as he joined the party here today.

He joined the party during Parivartan Sankalpa Samabesha in presence of AICC chief Rahul Gandhi at Tamando Mini Stadium on outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

After long years of gap, once again he will be seen in active politics ahead of the elections.

“Time is more powerful. It decides everything. Now, I will be one of the members of the Congress,” said Kanungo.

When asked about his plan to contest the elections, he said, “I have not thought about it. Let the party take the final call. If the party wants to field me in the polls, I will definitely fight. Or else, I will work for the party.”

Kanungo was away from the politics after being ousted from the ruling BJD. The former minister had recently expressed his interest to join a political party of Biju loyalists. Even, he was spotted with expelled BJD leader Damodar Rout at several meetings.

He had hinted at joining a new party to be floated by the Biju loyalists, who were sacked from the BJD.

However, he finally chose to join the Indian National Congress.