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Bhubaneswar: Talks of Congress infighting in Odisha has intensified further after Pradesh Congress has called the district presidents to meet on Monday, a day before the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP).
Meeting of legislators, which usually takes place a day or two before the Assembly session, has raised many eyebrows, hinting at growing conflict between Pradesh Congress and legislature party.
Pradesh Congress claimed that the meeting of district chiefs is only meant for the preparation for upcoming panchayat election. Sources said, CLP leader Narasingh Mishra and PCC president Prasad Harichandan have prepared strategies separately with their own groups. Question arises whether the MLAs, who are also in charge of district presidents, would attend the meeting convened by Harichandan. However, senior leader Suresh Routray hinted at their presence.
"PCC president Prasad Harichandan has prepared a blue print for the upcoming panchayat poll. All the district presidents including some MLAs who are in the post have been invited for the conference. The State president will discuss with them about the programme to be undertaken in district levels", said Routray.
However, the district presidents are only aware that the meeting would discuss the action plan for panchayat polls. "We have been called to discuss only on the strategies to be chalked out for the forthcoming Panchayat elections. They have sought report on task force for the poll", said Bhagaban Bagarti, Bolangir district head of the party.
However, the Congress legislature party, which is scheduled to meet a day after the meeting of district chiefs, has not confirmed its agenda for the gathering. However, Opposition chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati hinted at the possible discussion on organisational affairs as part of meeting apart from death of children in Malkangiri.
"Party legislature will meet on November 22 and most probably it will discuss Malkangiri issue and prepare future strategies. Organisational affairs might be taken up in the meet, said Bahinipati.
Spokesperson Sarat Rout separated the links between the meetings of district presidents and MLAs. "There is no need to inform Pradesh Congress about the legislature party meeting. The Leader of Opposition is authorised to convene the meeting. If required, PCC president might be invited to attend it”, Congress Rout said.
