Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Congress on Sunday decided to field candidates in all 854 zilla parishad zones across the State in the forthcoming panchayat elections, but may go for alliance where needed.
At ‘Sankalp Samabesh’ meeting, attended by party’s Odisha in-charge BK Hariprasahad, PCC president Prasad Harichandan and other senior leaders, it was decided that Congress may share seats where needed in the upcoming panchayat polls.
“Congress’ own candidates will contest in the elections in all 854 zilla parishad zones. Where there is need of political understanding, it would be done if the local unit of the party decides to do so. The political understanding would be made with like-minded parties only”, Harichandan informed at a press meet in Congress Bhawan after the meeting.
He said the party will reach every household and seek cooperation during the upcoming polls. To supervise the election, 30 senior leaders have been entrusted with the charge of observer for all 30 districts, Harichandan added.
The State Congress chief also pointed out that his party has formed Pradesh Panchayat Elections Commitee and poll manifesto committee. “These committees have been formed with the approval of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The manifesto for the panchayat polls will be prepared soon keeping the local issues in view”, he maintained.
Task force is also being formed at all gram panchayat level, which is in the final stage. “The process of formulating the task force at all 6800 gram panchayats will be finished by next month”, he said.
The Congress has vowed to fight unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and ignorance. “Neither we are in power at State nor at Centre. So, we can’t give any assurance, but can make promise to fight for the cause of common man, for the interest of Dalit”, he concluded.