Ahead of arrival of the AICC observers here to assess the situation of the State Congress on Friday, the infighting in the party came to the fore again as different factions made hectic parleys to prepare their strategies.
A team of party MlAs, who are hell-bent on removal of Pradesh Congress Committee president (PCC) Prasad Harichandan from the post, met at the residence of senior party leader and leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.
The prominent MlAs who were at Mishra’s residence included Prafulla Majhi, Yogendra Singh, Prakash Behera, Chiranjib Biswal and Tara Prasad Bahinpati.
later, Bahinpati said they would reiterate their demand for a change in the PCC leadership. There has been an effort to divide the MlAs, but they remain united. They would propose the name of Niranjan Patnaik for the post as Patnaik can save the party from its decline and ensure its revival soon. The MlAs are also trying to persuade the party district presidents to toe their line, he said.
Sources said the other factions of the party were also preparing their moves to counter the opponents. The Prasad supporters have prepared their strategy to ensure that he stays at the helm of affairs.
A section of political analysts said that in such a situation, Bhakta Charan Das, one of the contenders for PCC president post, might turn out to be the dark horse.