Odisha Congress trying to muster strength for 2024 elections 

Ahead of the 2024 elections, the grand old party, Congress in Odisha is reportedly gathering strength after the return of some of its veterans, who had deserted the party years ago.

In fact, these leaders, perceived to be spent forces having no political clout, may not come to the rescue of the party, which has been out of power for over 24 years in the state, as political analysts, on the other hand, forecast that the 2024 elections are going to be an acid test for the Congress.

As the elections are drawing closer, the state Congress saw one leader after another staging a comeback into its fold after veteran leader Ajoy Kumar was assigned as party’s state in-charge. 

Former Chief Minister and nine-time MP from Koraput Giridhar Gamang, his wife and ex-legislator Hema Gamang, and son Sishir Gamang returned to the party after deserting the BRS. 

The return of the Gamang family, which reportedly had a hold on the tribal vote bank in southern Odisha (once a fort for the party) is expected to help change the political fortune of the party in the region. The party's top leadership believes that at least a major chunk of the tribal votes that had slipped out of their hands may favour the party again in the 2024 elections. 

The party also got a shot in its arms after former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP from Koraput, Jairam Pangi joined the Congress well ahead of the Gamang family.

The Congress with Sarat Pattanayak at the helm of the state strongly believes that Gamang and Pangi together with two incumbent legislators like Sanakhemundi MLA Ramesh Jena and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati will help the party consolidate the vote bank which has declined over years in the southern pockets. 

To add to its strength, the Congress high command has reportedly ironed out the differences that had existed between the Koraput MLA Bahinipati and party MP Saptagiri Ulaka. 

Bahinipati said, “We welcome Pangi and Gamang. The tribal vote bank will be consolidated with their joining. Congress will perform well. The loss and profit will be clear after the elections. ” 

Also Read: There's rift in BJD, several bigwigs in contact with Odisha Congress: Suresh Routray

MP Saptagiri Ulaka said, “We welcome former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang. He wants to defeat the BJD government. We will fight together.”   

The party leadership also plans to usher some suspended leaders into the party. The Central leadership is reportedly laying focus on Odisha after its dismal performance in the 2019 polls. 

However, senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty said, “No important leaders have joined Congress till date, except Bijay Patnaik. Of course, some veteran leaders have returned to the party, but they have no political influence in the present scenario. There is no possibility of the party gaining politically from these leaders. The party has to change its base and change the atmosphere in its favour ahead of the elections.”