As part of a damage control exercise to end the weeklong speculations in political circles about Delhi visit of 12 Congress MlAs, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prasad Harichandan on Thursday "clarified" that his party MlAs and other leaders are one and united. On persistent questions by mediapersons at a press conference here about the motive of the MlAs' meeting with central leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in a hurry, Harichandan finished the answer with a one-liner, 'It's a normal thing for party workers to meet their leaders.'

Further asked, Harichandan said the MlAs discussed about strengthening of the party and then invited vice-president Rahul Gandhi to visit Odisha.

Notably, senior party leader lalatendu Mohapatra had told the media that the MlAs had gone to Delhi to complain against party Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati. Two days after this statement, Bahinipati told media that he would quit from his post if the MlAs want it.

When the PCC chief was asked whether Mohapatra has breached party discipline by his statement and spreading a 'wrong perception', PCC chief avoided the question, just saying there is a committee of the party to look into meaning and intensity of breaching of discipline.

On Bahinipati's statement, he said it was the example

of his commitment towards the party. Harichandan said all the MlAs excluding Chandrasekhar Majhi and K Surya Rao along with him had earlier in the day gone to leader of Opposition's residence on a courtesy visit. The party has postponed a meeting with MlAs as the country is mourning former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's death, he said.