Former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi has resigned as the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) vice-president on moral grounds for the party’s debacle in the recent panchayat elections.
He has tendered his resignation to PCC president Prasad Harichandan and forwarded a copy to the party’s State in-charge BK Hariprasad. He said he has also informed about his resignation to AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
Majhi said he is taking onus for the party’s rout in the panchayat polls as he could not justify holding two major responsibilities in the party. However, he would continue to work for tribals remaining in the ST Cell as its president and try to strengthen the party.
“I will undertake organisation work remaining as the president of ST Cell. I will try my best to strengthen my party in upcoming days,” he said.
However, Majhi’s move triggered speculations that he is paving his way to join the BJP in future. But he dismissed the speculations, saying he would be in the Congress, which is his “family”.
“The Congress has given me a lot. This is my turn to give my best to the party,” he added.
Sources said Majhi has stressed on revival of the Congress in his resignation letter. Meanwhile, Congress Chief Whip in the State Assembly Tara Prasad Bahinipati, who is against Prasad Harichandan continuing as the PCC chief, welcomed Majhi’s resignation and stated that the PCC should undergo drastic changes to revive the party.