Bhubaneswar: Amidst the ongoing infighting and alleged conspiracy for a change of guard in the grand old party in Odisha, senior leader Sura Routray on Thursday advised leaders to meet Sonia Gandhi.
The advice came a day after some leaders of the party congregated at Bhubaneswar Panthanivas and threw weight behind Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammad Moquim to make him the next Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president.
Known for his witty and satirical remarks, the veteran Congress leader Sura Routray was quick to train guns on the leaders who are trying regroup against the party leadership.
“The party (Congress) is going through a bad phase in Odisha. All the leaders should be united as civic body polls are on the cards and adequate steps should be taken to ensure that party candidates win the polls,” said Routray.
Routray further asserted that, “Those who want Moquim and those who don’t want Niranjan, should meet Sonia Gandhi. We are mere cadres. At present, no leader is coming forward to take the baton. But I urge leaders not to rake up such issues in media rather discuss party affairs with party high command,” Routray said adding that he is neither in the race nor eligible for OPCC post.
Bapi Sarkhel, who had reportedly convened the meeting yesterday, said that “The meeting is not a conspiracy against anyone; rather we are trying to strengthen the party right from the grassroots.”