Biramitrapur MLA, Mahanadi Bachao Andolan Convenor join Congress

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Biramitrapur MLA George Tirkey and convenor of Mahanadi Bachao Andolan Sudarshan Das on Wednesday officially joined Congress at New Delhi in presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi.

Welcoming Tirkey and Das to the party fold, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Niranjan Patnaik said that the joining of of the duo would strengthen the party.

"Tirkey is a senior tribal leader with thousands of supporters. Similarly, Das along with four other members of the organisation joined Congress today. I strongly believe it will strengthen Odisha Congress and we heartily welcome them to the party," said Patnaik.

He further said that Congress is ready to welcome all those like-minded people who want to work for the interest of Odisha.

On being asked if Tirkey will contest from Sundergarh Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 elections, the OPCC president refused to divulge any detail as of now but said that the party will take a decision in this regard at appropriate time.

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Meanwhile, speculations are rife that the Biramitrapur MLA is eyeing the Sundergarh Lok Sabha seat. In 2004, he had unsuccessfully fought the Sundergarh LS seat elections as Independent.