Chellakumar's new strategy to revive Odisha Congress creates flutters in State politics

Odisha Congress Prabhari A Chellakumar’s new strategy in seeking suggestions from leaders cutting across party lines to make a blueprint for revival of the Congress' unit in the State has created flutter in the political circles. 

Chellakumar, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha, is learnt to have met former Union Minister Braja Kishore Tripathy, BJP’s senior leader Bijoy Mahapatra and senior journalist Rabi Das among others in this regard. 

“Our discussion did not feature any personal or party related topics. As a prabhari, he is trying to do away with the obstacles the party is facing from the other parties,” said Tripathy. 

Senior journalist Rabi Das spoke about his meeting with Chella and said, “I told him that there is only one way for revival of State's Congress and that is the revitalization of the party at the national level. It requires some drastic steps and it is not possible on the part of a single person to salvage the party,” said Das. 

When asked, Chellakumar said his efforts are only to strengthen the party and it has nothing to do with the selection of OPCC president. 

“For the benefit of the Congress, for strengthening its base, it is my duty to see some like-minded people and seek their valuable suggestions. Selection of OPCC president is one process and strengthening the party is part of that,” the senior Congress leader spoke to OTV over phone. 

Chellakumar is also said to have met BJD’s senior leaders Prasanna Pattasani and Tathagata Satpathy. 

But what is surprising is that even his own party leaders were in dark about Chellakumar’s secret meetings. 

However, senior Congress leader and Jatni MLA Suresh Routray did not see any wrong in Chellakumar meeting leaders of different parties. 
“If he has sought opinions from all the leaders across the party lines, there is nothing wrong in it,” said Routray.