‘Deal in Congress’, alleges Shishir Gamang after denied ticket; party chief responds

After being left down and not getting Congress ticket, senior leader Shishir Gamang on Wednesday expressed his dissatisfaction over the list of candidates announced by the grand old party on Tuesday. It is pertinent to mention here that the names of two heavyweights of the Congress, former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang and former MP Jayaram Pangi were not in the list.

Not a single person from the Gamang family has been named a candidate as per the first list of candidates announced by the Congress yesterday.

Shishir was an aspirant for the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat. The Congress has roped in Bhujbal Majhi for the seat.

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“We are in shock after going through the candidate list released by Congress yesterday. We do not know how to react to this. I was an aspirant for the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat and the party has named Bhujbal Majhi as its candidate,” said Shishir.

It appears that there has been a deal in Congress, alleged Shishir. Without taking the name of Congress, Sishir said some ‘inside deal has been struck to ensure the defeat of Congress'.

“Bhujbal Majhi’s family has got four tickets. How four tickets were given to a single family? We will certainly try to hold talks with the party central high command. Majority of the tickets given are not correct and need rectification as I have heard from others. We are not the sole victims. There are many people who have given their lives for the party and they have been sidelined,” Shishir added.

Responding to the allegations levelled by Shishir, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Sarat Pattnayak said that there has been no conspiracy against anyone.

“The complete list for 147 assembly seats has not been released yet. Winning is the only criteria for issuing tickets. The tickets have not been given on anyone’s recommendation. I urge all not to defame Congress. Till now, not a single leader has requested me to give anyone a ticket,” said Pattnayak.