Bhubaneswar: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik after convening a review meeting with the office bearers of 10 districts at the Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar made it clear that only members working at the grassroots level and connected with the people will get party tickets for the upcoming 2019 elections.
This was the first meeting after All India Congress Committee (AICC) appointed new presidents and working presidents for the 33 District Congress Committees of Odisha on June 9. The two-day meeting aims at bringing synchronization between the newly appointed presidents before the elections.
Speaking to media, the PCC President stated that those sitting in Bhubaneswar will not become leaders.
Those who are working at grassroots level will be given party tickets and they will be the candidates for the upcoming elections. And those sitting in Bhubaneswar and not connected with the people of Odisha will not become leaders.
-Niranjan Patnaik
He further informed, "The district committees now would submit a progress report every 15 days and in two three months we will come to know who amongst the party is working dedicatedly for the people. This way Congress will grow from strength to strength."
Happy with the decision of the OPCC President, senior Congress leader Sura Routray said, “The PCC president had clearly stated that only those who are working for the people, have taken responsibilities of the party and whose winning chances are high, will be given tickets. There is no confusion now. Niranjan Patnaik and Rahul Gandhi are the two final authorities. If I get a ticket, I will fight.”
Reportedly, the party will have a meeting tomorrow also with the presidents and working presidents of 23 other districts to discuss on the same agenda.