OPCC secretary Pramod Jena quits Congress

Paradip: Expresssing dissatisfaction over ticket distribution, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) secretary Pramod Kishore Jena along with hundreds of his supporters resigned from the primary membership of party on Friday.

Accusing senior leaders including PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik and party's Jagatsinghpur district president Chiranjibi Biswal of working hand in gloves with the ruling-BJD, Jena alleged that the party has deviated from its ideologies.

Jena is also opposing the candidature of Bapi Sarkhel from Jagatsinghpur Assembly constituency.

Jena alleged that PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik and the party’s Jagatsinghpur district president Chiranjibi Biswal is working hand in glove with BJD and fielded a candidate as per the arrangement. He has been opposing the party’s move to nominate Bapi Sarkhel as Jagatsinghpur Assembly constituency.

“The party has deviated from its ideologies and that’s why I decided to quit the party. To survive in politics, Chiranjibi Biswal is working in collusion with BJD. Biswal suggested Sarkhel’s name to help the BJD during polls,” Jena added.

Denying the charges, Biswal who is also the PCC working presidentsaid, “Neither the party allots tickets in lieu of money nor have I done that. As he (Jena) was denied a ticket he is levelling such baseless allegations.”