Odisha Congress leaders welcome Harichandan’s anointment

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Dec 16, 2014 at 1:15 PM Updated On : Dec 16, 2014 at 2:21 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 16:

Three-time Odisha Chief Minister and Congress patriarch J B Patnaik has described the newly appointed Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prasad Harichandan as the ‘right person’ for the job.

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Prasad Harichandan being felicitated by party workers after being named PCC president on Monday

“Prasad is the right person for the job. He will be acceptable as the PCC president. Leaders should cooperate with him. I am hopeful that under his leadership, the Congress in the state will be better organized. I will try my best to ensure that he gets the support and cooperation from all quarters and leaders within the party,” said Patnaik.

On being asked by reporters whether Harichandan’s nomination as the PCC chief will end the factionalism within the state unit of the party, the veteran Congress leader said; “I feel so. I am hopeful it will.”

In his reactions on his ouster and Harichandan’s nomination by the Congress high command as the PCC chief, outgoing PCC chief Jayadev Jena said he has no problems working under the new leader. “Some people who wanted my removal will now be happy,” he said.

“Change of leadership is nothing new in Congress. I knew it. I am not at all surprised since Congress president and vice-president have opted for a leader from the youth in the interest of the party. I am more than happy to work under the leadership of Prasad Harichandan to strengthen the party,” said Jena.

Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra has welcomed and congratulated Prasad Harichandan on his nomination as the PCC chief.

“The new PCC chief has been appointed six months after the previous incumbent tendered his resignation after Congress’s defeat in the elections. I congratulate and welcome Prasad Harichandan on his appointment. I am hopeful that he will take everybody with him and carry the party forward,” said Mishra.

Former PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik, who was also in the race for the post as per media reports, has welcomed Harichandan’s appointment as the new PCC president.

“Our party’s central leadership has favoured a younger leader. It’s welcome and I am hopeful that being a capable leader, Harichandan will carry everybody in the party lognwith him and the party will be better organized in the state under his leadership,” said Patnaik.