Again, dissidence rocks state Congress

BHUBANERSWAR: Even as the Congress is going on with its zonal meetings in different parts of the State in a bid to strengthen the organisation, dissidence has again reared its ugly head with groups lobbying for a change in the leadership. The visit of two Union ministers __ Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jairam Ramesh __ to the State during the last two days exposed the factional fights in the Congress. While former Union minister and Odisha in-charge Jagdish Tytler and president of the OPCC Niranjan Patnaik were planning revival of the organisation by holding workers’ meetings at different places, the dissidents were busy seeking leadership change. Dissidence in the State unit had come to the fore last week when a group of MLAs had met Central leaders in Delhi demanding leadership change because of the organisational stagnation at every level. Later, however, the group denied having made any such demand.    Several MLAs of the party, led by former working president Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, met Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday demanding a change in the State leadership. Interestingly, Azad has nothing to do with the Odisha unit and it was pointed out by none other than Tytler. However, the meeting has brought to the fore the simmering discontent in the party. Mohapatra was accompanied by three MLAs and some leaders. Sources said Mohapatra is trying to emerge as the alternative power centre in the State Congress by attracting rebels. The Congress has lost three consecutive elections after the change in State leadership last year. Defeats in Kendrapara municipal election, Umerkote bypoll and panchayat polls have dealt a body blow to the party’s hopes of revival under the new leadership. Sources said the dissidents want a change in the leadership before the urban body polls scheduled for 2013 to ready the party for 2014 Assembly elections.  However, those supporting the present leadership maintain that reasons behind the party’s debacle in the panchayat polls are being assessed. Steps will be taken to address the shortcomings after the review. Efforts will be made to strengthen the organisation through workers’ meetings planned for the next several months.