Two days after four Congress MlAs changed camps and met party vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, the ongoing tussle between the organisational and legislative wings of the State Congress widened further after more MlAs on Monday made a strong attack on AICC general secretary in charge of Odisha, BK Hariprasad, and held him directly responsible for the rift in the party.
Sundargarh MlA Jogesh Singh jeered at Hariprasad, saying ‘Haria’ is responsible for any such conflict among the leaders. “Haria (BK Hariprasad) is doing politics here and he is responsible for the tussle among us. He does not know the art of strengthening organisation as he has never contested elections. The high command had sent him to Odisha to strengthen the base and resolve organisational issues amicably, but he is doing the exact opposite,” Singh said. Another party MlA, Prafulla Majhi, also came down heavily on some senior State leaders. Indirectly targeting the Hariprasad-backed Prasad Harichandan (PCC president) camp, he said, “Some senior leaders are encouraging the intraparty squabble. Those who are creating cracks among the MlAs should be expelled at the earliest,” Majhi said.
Reacting to the meeting of four MlAs with Rahul Gandhi, Majhi said the feud would adversely affect the party in the forthcoming panchayat polls.
“If he (Rahul Gandhi) had to discuss about the panchayat polls, why were not other MlAs invitedIJ If such disagreement continues, it would surely impact the party during panchayat polls,” he said.
Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Monday again remarked, “I don’t bother whoever goes to Delhi for meeting the high command. I do not inquire the reason of their meeting and do not want to collect information about it,” he said, adding, “I am not afraid of anything,”
However, PCC treasurer Mohammed Moquim, who had accompanied the four MlAs, Jacob Pradhan, Krushna Chandra Sagaria, Kailash Chandra Sagaria and Bhujabal Majhi, to Rahul Gandhi, came to the defence of PCC president Harichandan and Hariprasad.
“The high command only knows the reason of calling the MlAs to Delhi. We all should respect the decision of the party vice-president and work united under the leadership of Prasad Harichandan,” Moquim said.
He also advised party leaders to refrain from making remarks against the party before the media. The four MlAs reportedly pledged their support to PCC chief Harichandan.