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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Congress leaders have showed mixed reactions to the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) decision on formation of a 24-member campaign committee with Union minister Srikant Jena as its head. While some have welcomed the decision, others have become critical in a guarded manner.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee's (OPCC) former working president Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, who has been named in the campaign committee, declined to part of it. However, the senior Congress leader added if any candidate from the party would seek his support he would definitely help him in the campaigning.
"I had earlier decided that I won't be part of any committee. Meanwhile, I would request the members of the campaign committee to help the party's candidates for all 147 constituencies," Mohapatra added.
Former PCC president Niranjan Patnaik criticised the AICC's decision, but in a swift way.
"OPCC president Jayadev Jena and Union Minister Srikant Jena did campaigning for the party as star campaigners in the urban elections. Whatever the result may be, they are the senior leaders of the party," Patnaik said.
Former chief minister Hemananda Biswal said generally Rajya Sabha members or any senior leader not holding a significant post were given the party campaign job. "It does not matter whether we are part of it or not," Biswal added.
It is worth mentioning that Patnaik and Biswal have not been included the committee.
OPCC president Jayadev Jena expressed his satisfaction over the committee list and said it has been prepared as per his proposal. He also hoped that it would have a big impact in the forthcoming elections.
"The campaign committee members will surely give time for the party's candidate and play their roles well," Jena said.
Similarly, Chiranjeeb Biswal, OPCC Treasurer, welcomed the AICC’s move and said the committee includes senior leaders who can give time and spread the message of Congress.
“The party’s high command has taken a decision in the right direction,” Biswal added.
