Odisha Cong MLAs put up spirited fight in Assembly

Bhubaneshwar: Congress MLAs in Odisha appear to be fighting against the treasury bench members on their own strength, as the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) virtually remains dysfunctional, post the party’s poor show in the LS and Assembly polls.

The nine MLAs of the Grand Old Party, who describe themselves as navagrahas or nine planets, have been raising crucial issues very strongly on the Floor of the House vehemently without waiting for any guidance from PCC president Niranjan Patnaik, who resigned from his post after the polls. His resignation, however, has not yet been accepted by the party’s central leadership.

The Congress managed to win only nine of the 147 Assembly seats. In the Lok Sabha polls, it bagged just one of the 21 seats.

The Congress was the second largest party in the Assembly since 2000. It has dropped to the third spot and lost the main Opposition status.

The BJP, on the other hand, increased its tally from 10 to 23.

As the PCC, it virtually remains dysfunctional following the resignation of Niranjan Patnaik. The Congress Legislature Party led by veteran leader Narasingha Mishra and senior MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati are taking the call as what should be the party’s strategy on the floor of the House to put the treasury bench members in trouble.

On issues like farm distress, poor healthcare and education systems, the Congress members have successfully cornered the ruling BJD members.

Sources in the PCC on Wednesday said the state organization would soon undergo a major reshuffle.

In fact, Odisha in-charge and former MP Jitendra Singh on Wednesday told reporters in New Delhi about the possible changes in Odisha unit. He said he had asked for a report from grassroots party workers after the party’s dismal electoral performance in Odisha.

“On the basis of the report, in the coming days, we will reshuffle the entire state unit,” he was quoted as saying to the reporters.

Soon after the party’s debacle, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik offered to give up his post following the elections. But Jitendra Singh said: “His resignation has not been accepted by the leadership.”