Bhubaneswar: Intraparty squabbling in the Congress has once again come to fore with differences emerging over its state leadership making its journey tougher in the upcoming panchayat elections.
Congress legislature party headed by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra is in New Delhi to discuss the party’s organisational affairs with the high command. The development reveals that all is not well in the state unit.
Party sources claim state chief Prasad Harichandan and Mishra differ over several issues. A group of MLAs have also knocked AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi’s door seeking a change in the state leadership to ensure that such squabbling do not affect panchayat elections.
The rift between Harichandan and Mishra came out in the open when the former did not attend the all-party meeting convened by the latter on Mahanadi dispute August 3.
While both leaders have refuted reports of a rift, Congress MLA Bhujabal Majhi, speaking about the visit of party MLAs to Delhi, admitted the team raised the leadership issue with Rahul. Another Congress MLA on the condition of anonymity said that “he (Rahul) said that he will discuss the matter later”.
However, this is not the first time such infighting has come to fore. On several occasions state leaders have been involved in factionalism and infighting.
Due to the on-going mess, the state Congress’ ‘Jan Chetna Yatra’ over Mahanadi from the second week of October is yet to start.
“At a time when panchayat election is approaching some party leaders are in Delhi instead of reaching out to rural masses. Such infighting will not bring in the desired result in panchayat polls,” said a senior party leader.
But senior Congress leader Hemananda Biswal, when asked about the state leadership, said, “This is not appropriate time to demand such change.”
While Harichandan and Mishra could not be reached for their comments, party leader Pradeep Majhi refuted reports of ‘infighting’. “There is no need of change in state leadership. All should work together,” he stated.
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