‘Hariprasad’s resignation was long-overdue; Odisha Cong chief should follow the suit’

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar 14:

Chorus for Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan’s ouster got shriller today after state in-charge BK Hariprasad resigned from the post of AICC general secretary and working committee owing moral responsibility post the dismal show in the Panchayat polls.

“BK Hariprasad should have resigned much before as Congress lost many seats in 2014 Assembly elections. He should have resigned then. I thank him for tendering his resignation now. Good sense has prevailed and he has resigned. Our PCC chief should also resign owing moral responsibility for the rout and Rahul Gandhi should accept his resignation,” Congress chief whip in the state Assembly Tara Prasad Bahinipati said.

Speaking on similar tunes, Congress leader Ananta Prasad Sethi said: “I am happy that BK Hariprasad has resigned, though very late owing moral responsibility. If he would have brainstormed after 2016, he would have come to know about the reason for party’s decline and this situation wouldn’t have surfaced. Prasad Bahu would have definitely realised and must have taken steps. The party has suffered gigantic loss in the Panchayat elections. If I would have been in his place, I would have resigned.”

Demand for Prasad’s resignation has become louder after BK Hariprasad’s resignation was reported in the media. The state in-charge stepped down from AICC post following rural polls debacle which pushed the grand old party to a remote third position.

“We put up a miserable show in the recently-concluded local body polls in Odisha. I have taken its moral responsibility and sent a detailed report to AICC president Sonia Gandhi. It is up to party chief to decide on it. I have been associated with the party since 40 years. I have worked in various capacities in the parties across the country. I have grown up with the party and would remain till my end,” BK Hariprasad expressed.

Responding to media persons’ queries on Prasad’s resignation, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in state Assembly and veteran Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said: “Giving resignation is a personal decision and organizational restructuring in party’s decision.”