Cong leaders unhappy with AICC members over Lulu’s funeral

Bhubaneswar: Peeved over the lack of presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) members in the funeral rites of their Late leader Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra (Lulu), some senior leaders of the party have expressed their displeasure. Leader Jogesh Singh and Opposition chief whip Tara Prasad Baninipati, said that the PCC in-charge should have met the bereaved family members.

“Had BK Hariprasad wanted, then no cracks would have emerged between MLAs and District presidents, Opposition leader and PCC. The way he should have discharged his duties and the manner in which Rahul Gandhi should have been apprised, had not been done,” said Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

“In 1995 with the help of Lulu, Congress came to power. While a sea of crowd was present during Lulu’s funeral, unfortunately none of the leaders from the centre were present. I welcome and respect the protests staged by youth and student Congress members over the matter,” said Congress MLA, Jogesh Singh.

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Notably, protesting disrespect to Lulu, student leaders of the party had barged into a hotel conference hall in the city last night where party in-charge of Odisha BK Hariprasad, deputy in-charge Subhankar Sarkar were engaged in discussion with PCC chief Prasad Harichandan and legislature party chief Narasingh Mishra.

The student leaders, who are the ardent followers of the firebrand Congress man late Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra (Lulu), vented their ire on the central as well as local leaders alleging AICC’s blatant dishonour to the departed soul of Mohapatra.

Taking note of the incident, the PCC disciplinary committee serves show-cause notice to a PCC secretary and student leaders who stormed party meeting chaired by BK Hariprasad.