Rumour mills on overdrive after Cong MLAs meet Rahul

Bhubaneswar: The intra-party feud in the Odisha Congress has come to the fore again as some of the party legislators met AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi on Saturday.

Though the Congress legislators are tight-lipped over the issues discussed apart from the Mahanadi water row at the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, sources close the party circles said the MLAs apprised him of the differences among the leaders of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC).

Sources said some MLAs also argued in favour of change of guard in the OPCC.

The MLAs, who had sought an appointment to meet Congress president Sonai Gandhi, today met at the residence of the party MP Ranjib Biswal.

Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the Congress chief whip, said, “Though the Mahanadi water issue was talked about in the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, other things were also brought to his notice.”

He further stated, “To save the party in Odisha, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and others are trying their best.”

Also read: Congress blames Patnaik for Mahanadi water dispute

The Congress MLAs also met other AICC leaders in New Delhi.

Commenting on the matter, OPCC vice president Pradeep Majhi, said “Differences among the party members are seen clearly now. He (the OPCC Chief) is having the responsibility to take everyone along and make the party active. The party will be benefitted only if there is proper coordination between the Opposition leader and the PCC chief.”