Bhubaneswar: Accepting past mistakes and ensuring that they are not repeated henceforth seems to be the top agenda of the newly-appointed president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), Niranjan Patnaik and his team, which received a rousing welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar after their arrival from New Delhi today.
Patnaik was accompanied by the three newly-appointed working presidents of OPCC - Chiranjib Biswal, Pradeep Majhi, Naba Das; AICC Odisha in-charge Jitendra Singh and AICC joint secretary Aditya Sharma. They were felicitated by various Congress leaders and activists from across Odisha who had arrived in Bhubaneswar to greet the new team.
After taking charge of OPCC, Patnaik tweeted, "We have to admit our past follies, ensure that we do not repeat any of them again; repent and go back to people with humility and give them an alternative vision of inclusive growth."
"An environment will be created to strengthen Congress in coming days. We have less time at our disposal but are hopeful," said Hemananda Biswal, newly-appointed chairperson of the OPCC disciplinary committee.
Meanwhile, the outgoing OPCC chief Prasad Harichandan said, "After the Nabakalebara of Congress we are excited as the team of newly-appointed Niranjan Patnaik will take charge and hope it will be able to gain confidence of the people. It is not a time of pointing out mistakes but we will work together for strengthening the party."
However, political observers feel that it will not be an easy task for the new team to revive Congress.
"Niranjan Patnaik has pointed out the marred history of Congress and has called for a revival of the party, but the big question here is whether he will be able to get a free hand in future or not. Moreover, how far he will be able to check the exodus from the party remains to be seen," said political analyst, Prasanna Mohanty.