Congress to launch statewide padayatra in Odisha to fight against BJD

Out of power in Odisha since 2000, the Congress has witnessed a continuous decline in the state.

By Swagatika Bhutia

BHUBANESWAR,JUNE 2: In an apparent move to rejuvenate the party workers and strengthen the organisation at grassroots level,  Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Wednesday decided to embark on a padyatra in each and every district of the state from June 9.

 The decision was taken by the newly-appointed president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPC) president Sarat Pattanayak after a two-day long ‘Sankalp Shivir’ of the state Congress unit in Bhubaneswar.

As per party sources, Pattanayak himself will join the padyatra along with party workers in each and every district of Odisha starting from next week.

“We have formed a new strategy to strengthen the party structure in the state. We will give a tough fight to ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the coming elections. Those who are thinking that the Congress couldn’t come back to power in the state should now change their view and see how we are working to unseat the BJD government that has completely shattered the state by corruption and nepotism,” said Pattanayak.

The grand old party in the state has also decided to organise an annual meeting of the party in the block and the district level. Six committees have also been formed to strengthen and enhance the performance of the party.

“As per the instruction of AICC, regular discussions will be held among the party leaders on political, economic, social justice, women empowerment, agriculture and farmers’ issues and various steps will be taken accordingly,” said Pattanayak.

Notably, Pattanayak was recently appointed as the OPCC president for the second time. Earlier, he had served as PCC chief from 2001 to 2004.

Out of power in Odisha since 2000, the Congress has witnessed a continuous decline in the state. It is now the third political power in the state after the ruling BJD and principal opposition – the Bharatiya Janata Party. The grand old party’s vote share which stood at 33.78 per cent in 2000 assembly polls, dropped to a negligible 16.12 per cent in 2019.