Stop infighting, Odisha PCC chief urges partymen

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Koraput, Jan 27:

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Prasad Harichandan today advised his party men to stop fighting among themselves for party positions and instead work together to revive the party in the state.

Harichandan was speaking on the second phase of Chintan Shivir of PCC held in Koraput today, which was also attended by  All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge of Odisha BK Hariprasad and his deputy Subhankar Sarkar.

“The meeting discussed ideas to revitalize the party. We have done the introspection and have come up with some positive outcome. All sections of the party today came up with ideas to strengthen the party further and take it to people. What you saw today was not dissatisfaction or dissent, instead it really was coming to terms with our weaknesses and vulnerabilities so that we can work together on getting them fixed,” said Harichandan addressing the press outside the venue.

“Today, we also discussed and have decided to work for the party without fighting among ourselves for positions. Both leaders and workers are excited about the changes happening in the party,” he added.

“We have no dearth of supporters for the Congress party. However, we need to reach them at booth level to convert this ground support to electoral success. However, we do not reach them due to our hi-fi (high flying) attitude resulting in losses,” said Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati speaking on the occasion.

Senior leader Bhakta Das emphasized that paryymen are all together and working with the new president to get the party back to its glory days. “As you can see, we have Chandrasekhar Sahoo from Brahmapur, Sarat Patnaik and many senior leaders present here. We are all eager to go to the grassroots to win the confidence of the people,” said Das.

“PCC has always been giving significant importance to Koraput District Congress Committee.  We discussed ways to retain the traditional vote bank of congress in the district and bring back the tribal vote bank, which has slipped away from us.  The PCC President is listening to the suggestions of all the leaders. We are discussing the issues and suggestions and wait for his decisions on organisational changes and other issues,” said ex MP Pradeep Majhi.

Sounding quite optimistic about the results of the conclave, Sarat Patnaik said, “We have advised the new president on ways to minimize the gap between the party and the workers in undivided Ganjam and Koraput districts. The representatives of workers also had their say during the meeting.”