Congress guard in Odisha may change after November 2

Speculation is rife that the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will take a call on the fate of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Prasad Harichandan on November 2 after consultations with the district presidents of the party.

Succumbing to pressure by a group of senior leaders of the party for change of guard in the PCC, Mr Gandhi has called the meeting of the district presidents in New Delhi on November 2.

Sources said the party’s central leadership decided to hold a test of support base for Mr Harichandan after 16 Congress MLAs of Odisha led by Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra recently met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi and allegedly complained against the present PCC chief.

The sources added that in the first phase, Rahul has asked 22 party district presidents of 33 organisational districts to meet him on November 2, and rest of the district chiefs would be intimated later about their meeting in the next phase.

Khurda district Congress president Suresh Routray said Rahul Gandhi asked to meet him on November 2.

Bhagaban Bagarti, Balangir district Congress president who has also got a call, said, “Rahul might give instructions regarding strengthening of party organisation at the district level.”

Minakshi Bahinipati, Koraput district Congress president said she had not yet received any information about the proposed meeting on November 2 either from the party’s Delhi office or OPCC.

Commenting on the ensuing meet between Rahul and the party’s district chiefs, Anant Prasad Sethi, a senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member, said the party central leadership might have something on their mind in connection with the panchayat polls in the state.