The State Congress looked divided on the possible ouster of senior leader Srikant Jena in view of his contentious statements against the party and its leaders.
While Koraput MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, referring to Jena issue, opined at a Press meet that anybody, who breaks party discipline, should be thrown out, many senior leaders of the party didn’t support his argument.
Sandhyarani Mohapatra, a former PCC disciplinary committee chief, said Bahinipaiti should remember that he had committed indiscipline a number of times during Prasad Harichandan’s term as PCC chief and no action was taken against him. “It is not wise at all to take immediate action against a leader who talks something not acceptable to the party,” she said.
Senior leader Bhakta Das said the party is above an individual leader and, thus, any leader, who makes some opinion that goes against party ideology, shouldn’t be dragged to the disciplinary committee for an action against him. Many leaders have also committed indiscipline in the party earlier, he said. Former Minister Suresh Routray said the party is more important than an individual. All leaders should work together with an aim to bring the party to power again in the State, he said.