Bhubaneswar: With the general elections close at hand, Odisha Congress still appears to be in a dilemma over finalising its alliance partners and the seat allocation even after numerous discussions in this regard. While the party will hold a crucial meeting with the left parties on Saturday, the latter have already begun campaigning for the crucial polls ahead.
Recently, CPI(M) candidate Janardan Pati used election campaign vans in Bhubaneswar as well as on the outskirts of the city, throwing speculations that he could be one of the aspirants for the Bhubaneswar LS seat. Not only this, they have even launched an election office for the purpose.
Following the initial discussions held with Congress, the CPI(M) is also vying for the Bonai, Nilagiri, Remuna, Morada, Pallahara, Brahmagiri and Ranpur seats, sources said.
Meanwhile, CPI's Odisha unit secretary Asish Kanungo has made it clear that they will field candidates in Aska LS constituency along with Chatrapur and Boudh. This apart, the CPI will demand Congress to let them fight in Balikuda-Ersama, Brajarajnagar, Chitrakonda, Junagarh and Sundergarh assembly constituencies.
On the other hand, the JMM has proposed Mayurbhanj LS constituency apart from four other assembly constituencies.
On March 3, CPI will hold its State Council meeting whereas on March 6, the Congress Pradesh Poll Committee will discuss the list prepared by the AICC Screening Committee and thereafter, the list will be sent to the Central Poll Committee for approval.
Amid all these concerns, OPCC Chief Niranjan Patnaik, however said that the doors are open for seat-sharing and there will be no problem in allocation of seats.