BHUBANESWAR: As the polls draw nearer, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik faces a tricky time keeping his flock in combination.
Four MLAs from the celebration have left within the remaining three months. What makes it worse for Niranjan is that the ones MLAs who revolted in opposition to his predecessor Prasad Harichandan, and sought after his (Niranjan's) appointment as state Congress chief, have now grew to become in opposition to him.
The power of the outgoing Congress MLAs within the meeting has diminished from 16 elected in 2014 to 12 now. Significantly, almost all the MLAs had raised the banner of revolt in opposition to Harichandan - then state president of Congress - and sought after the celebration high command to make Niranjan the president of the Odisha unit. They incorporated Naba Kishore Das, Jogesh Singh, Prakash Behera and Krishna Sagaria - none of who are in Congress any longer.
While Naba Kishore and Singh have joined BJD, Sagaria moved to Bahujan Samaj Party and Behera joined BJP.
Not simplest has factionalism within Congress not ended since Niranjan took over the reins of the state unit from Harichandan in April 2018, the desertion of key leaders has raised query on his management.
"I do not see any revival of Congress. It appeared upbeat in April 2018 when Niranjan was made president. He has failed to keep his flock together. The same MLAs who had supported him have turned their back on him," said Gangadhar Mohanty, a political analyst.
Despite repeated makes an attempt, Niranjan and Harichandan have been unavailable for comment. Congress spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra admitted that the exodus of leaders would have an effect on it. "We are alert to the situation. The party state president and other senior leaders are taking measures to stem the flow," he said.
Four MLAs from the celebration have left within the remaining three months. What makes it worse for Niranjan is that the ones MLAs who revolted in opposition to his predecessor Prasad Harichandan, and sought after his (Niranjan's) appointment as state Congress chief, have now grew to become in opposition to him.
The power of the outgoing Congress MLAs within the meeting has diminished from 16 elected in 2014 to 12 now. Significantly, almost all the MLAs had raised the banner of revolt in opposition to Harichandan - then state president of Congress - and sought after the celebration high command to make Niranjan the president of the Odisha unit. They incorporated Naba Kishore Das, Jogesh Singh, Prakash Behera and Krishna Sagaria - none of who are in Congress any longer.
While Naba Kishore and Singh have joined BJD, Sagaria moved to Bahujan Samaj Party and Behera joined BJP.
Not simplest has factionalism within Congress not ended since Niranjan took over the reins of the state unit from Harichandan in April 2018, the desertion of key leaders has raised query on his management.
"I do not see any revival of Congress. It appeared upbeat in April 2018 when Niranjan was made president. He has failed to keep his flock together. The same MLAs who had supported him have turned their back on him," said Gangadhar Mohanty, a political analyst.
Despite repeated makes an attempt, Niranjan and Harichandan have been unavailable for comment. Congress spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra admitted that the exodus of leaders would have an effect on it. "We are alert to the situation. The party state president and other senior leaders are taking measures to stem the flow," he said.
Turncoats leave Odisha Congress chief in a spot
![Turncoats leave Odisha Congress chief in a spot]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
March 18, 2019
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