Bhubaneswar: The State unit of Odisha Congress has found itself in an embarrassing situation after a former leader accused the present Youth Congress President Smruti Lenka of sexually harassing a woman party worker.
According to reports, former youth congress leader Nihar Behera accused Lenka of sexually harassing the woman worker on the pretest of elevating her to a higher position in the party.
"It is a shameless act by the youth wing president of the party. Few audio clips of their conversation and WhatsApp chats regarding the sexual exploitation are getting viral on various social media platforms," said Behera.
"Lenka is not competent to continue in the responsible post. I don't understand why the Central leadership has nominated him for this important role. I have always opposed his nomination as the president of the youth wing," Nihar said adding that an agitation will be held against Lenka during the forthcoming State Youth Congress Congregation on March 25.
On the other hand, Lenka refuted the allegations leveled against him.
"The accusations are false and baseless. The person, who is levelling the false charges against me, has been suspended from the party in 2017 for conspiracy activities against the party," said Lenka.
"He is no more a worker of the party. Youth Congress has intesified its stir against the undemocratic governance of the ruling BJD. He has brought the allegation out of jealousy and intolerance," Lenka added.
(Edited by Suryakant Jena)