Bhubaneswar: Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sumitra Jena withdrew her agitation Monday after receiving an assurance from Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik that a probe would be initiated into the alleged assault on her.
Jena was staging dharna in front of the Congress Bhawan here for being allegedly manhandled by a rival group Sunday.
Niranjan held discussions with Jena and assured action against the culprits after a detailed probe in connection with the incident. The party has formed a committee including senior leaders Ananta Sethi, Chiranjib Biswal and Manas Choudhury to investigate the matter following which appropriate action would be taken against the persons involved.
“We are discontent over the ticket distribution but the damage has been done. However, for representation of women candidates in the remaining seats we will discuss with AICC’s Odisha in-charge TS Singhdeo,” she told reporters.
Commenting on this issue, Niranjan said, “She is a respected member of Congress. However, anyone who is upset with any decision taken by the party should discuss with senior leaders rather than opting for protest.”
Notably, Jena along with some Mahila Congress workers had staged a demonstration by locking the main gate of the Congress Bhawan Sunday alleging disproportion in allotment of tickets among the male and female candidates in various parliamentary and assembly constituencies.
During the demonstration, she alleged, a group of party workers barged inside the Congress Bhawan and manhandled her. She later sat on dharna in front of Congress Bhawan.
