Bhubaneswar: Clearing the air over the growing confusion among Congress leaders on the 'One man one post' policy, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Niranjan Patnaik today said that it only means one shall not hold party post and the post of an elected representative simultaneously.
"The 'one man one post' issue has been misinterpreted by the media. A candidate who has better chance of winning will be definitely be given tickets during the upcoming elections whether he is a president, secretary or even an executive member," clarified Patnaik
Putting it simply, Patnaik said that winnability would remain the primary criteria of ticket distribution. "Preference for youth, women and new faces would come second. Decision on tickets distribution will be taken at grass root level and not here in Bhubaneswar," the party’s state unit chief said.
"The decision has been taken so that leaders holding constitutional post can devote more time to their constituency," he added.
Patnaik had earlier advocated for the 'one man one post' policy triggering rumblings of discontent within the party especially among the senior leaders.
Senior leaders including president of Khurda district Congress committee (DCC) Suresh Kumar Routray had voiced his protest against the new rule saying it would debar many important leaders including him from getting tickets for the upcoming elections.
Names of 33 new District Congress Committee presidents and working presidents prepared as per the ‘One Man One Post’ formula were announced on Saturday.