‘Haria’ responsible for rift, Cong MLA Jogesh jeers at Hariprasad

Bhubaneswar: Two days after four Congress MLAs changed camps and met party vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, the ongoing tussle between organisational and legislative wings of the State Congress widened further after more legislators took strong jibe at the AICC general secretary in charge of Odisha, BK Hariprasad and held him directly responsible for the rift in party.

MLA Jogesh Singh jeered at Hariprasad and said 'Haria' is responsible for any such conflict among the leaders. "Haria (BK Hariprasad) is doing politics here and he is responsible for tussle among us. He does not know the art of strengthening organisation as he has never contested elections. The high command had sent him to Odisha to strengthen the base and resolve organisational issues amicably. But, he is doing the exact opposite", Singh said.

Backing the Sundergarh MLA, another law maker Prafulla Majhi also came down heavily on some senior leaders. Indirectly targeting Hariprasad-backed Prasad camp, he came down heavily on the top brass. "Some senior leaders are encouraging the intra-party squabble. Those who are creating fissure among the MLAs should be expelled at the earliest", Majhi said, adding the party should stay away from playing SC/ST card.

Reacting to the meeting of four MLAs with Rahul Gandhi, Majhi said the ongoing feud would adversely affect the party in the forthcoming panchayat polls.

"If he (Rahul Gandhi) had to discuss about the panchayat polls, why other legislators were not invited? If such disagreement continues, it would surely impact the party during panchayat polls", Singh rued.

Similarly, Opposition chief whip and fire brand leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati today again expressed that he is least concerned about what is happening and being told behind his back. "I do not bother, whoever goes to Delhi for meeting with high command. I do not inquire the reason of their meeting and do not want to collect information about it", Bahinipati said.

"I am not afraid of anything", he averred.

However, treasurer of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Mohammed Moquim, who accompanied the four legislators-Jacob Pradhan, Krushna Chandra Sagaria, Kailash Chandra Kulesika and Bhujabal Majhi- to the Congress scion in New Delhi, came to the defence of PCC president and AICC secretary.

"The high command only knows the reason of calling law makers to New Delhi. We all should respect the decision of party vice-president and work unitedly under the leadership of Prasad Harichandan", Moquim said.

He also advised the leaders to refrain from giving remarks against Congress before media.

Four MLAs-Jacob Pradhan, Krushna Chandra Sagaria, Kailash Chandra Kulesika and Bhujabal Majhi- reportedly pledged their support to state president Prasad Harichandan after meeting vice-president Rahul Gandhi two days ago.

General secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Odisha-in-charge, BK Hariprasad had claimed the MLAs discussed about the preparation for the upcoming panchayat polls with Rahul Gandhi.

They had also raised issues relating to increasing number of atrocities on SC and SC people in Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts by the ruling BJD leaders and workers, Hariprasad had clarified.