Intra-Party Rift In Odisha Congress Widens

Bhubaneswar: Revolt against Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik refused to die down as a faction of the party today met senior leader Hemananda Biswal to mobilise support for a change in party leadership in Odisha.

"We apprised him (Biswal) about the present situation of the party and also told him that we want Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim to be the party president as he is able to lead the party," said a Congress leader, Sanat Das.

Speaking over the issue, Biswal said that he will reveal his opinion in front of the AICC while adding that the leaders needs to reach out to people at panchayat level to strengthen the party.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati came down heavily on the revolting leaders and said that such activities have pushed the party 20 years back. "Congress lost elections across the country; so, what is the big deal if the party lost in Odisha?"

He further accused the said faction of trying to visit Delhi by getting money from other political parties.

Commenting on the matter, Niranjan Patnaik had earlier said that a family, a political party and a nation can't progress without discipline.