Pre-poll statement cost Niranjan his candidature!

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik’s rebellious statement in the recent past expressing unwillingness to contest this year’s General Elections under the leadership of incumbent party chief Jayadev Jena has cost him his candidature, most likely.

Although the grand old party came out with a list of candidates for two Lok Sabha and 118 Assembly segments on Tuesday, it didn’t name Patnaik either from Ghasipura (his usual seat) or elsewhere, hinting that the party “ignored” the senior leader who was at the party’s helm of affairs for about two years.

“Yes I feeI that the party has started ignoring me. See, changes in the state leadership is not uncommon. But after Jayadev babu took the reins, I felt the co-ordination between us was lapsing. More importantly, he has never consulted me regarding any issues; be it strengthening the organisation or candidate selection for the upcoming polls,” said a dispirited Patnaik.

Though it is quite evident from his statement that both Jena and Patnaik are not in good terms, but his media statement in December last had hinted at a similar tone then.

“I have already made it clear that I would not contest Assembly elections under Jayadev Jena’s leadership. However, I have no problems contesting for an MP seat since it does not come under the leadership of Jena,” he had said at a press conference.

The former PCC chief’s enigmatic answer on the possibility of his joining ‘Ama Odisha Party, the political party launched by his younger brother and expelled Congress leader Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, had then set political circles in the state aflutter.

But, for the senior Congress leader, who has been contesting the elections since 1977, what hurt him is the party workers’ “disregard” towards him.

“The workers of our organisation have not discussed with me the ticket issue for Ghasipura this time. We usually sit and discuss before tickets are distributed, but this time nothing such happened…. I have no idea whom they (state leadership) have fielded there (Ghasipura). This time neither I was asked nor persuaded to contest the polls,” he stated.

On the other hand, the Odisha Congress chief is not ready to buy the statement of his predecessor.

“Based on his recommendations of about four to five candidates, including one of his best companions, the party has given the ticket to one for Ghasipura. We have nominated Prithwiraj Kanhar who we think can give a fitting reply to the opponent,” Jena stated.

He continued: “Though he has not directly asked me to contest the LS polls, I personally observed that the party would benefit if he remains in the poll fray for the LS polls. As we were proposing his name for Puri seat, party candidates in Puri district told me that he (Patnaik) is not keen to contest in the ensuing polls. Then we dropped the plan.”