The two-word phrase ‘no vacancy’ seemed to be the right answer to the united Congress MlAs, who have been seeking a change in the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president post for last few months. AICC secretary and Odisha in-charge BK Hariprasad gave the message to the MlAs through the media on Friday after holding discussions with AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi along PCC president Prasad Harichandan in New Delhi.
“There is no need for change of PCC leadership now. Moreover, there is no vacancy in the top PCC post,” said Hariprasad.
Barely a few days after the meeting of Congress MlAs led by leader of Opposition (loP) Narasingh Mishra with Rahul Gandhi reportedly seeking a change of guard of the PCC, Harichandan met Gandhi in New Delhi. The meeting of Harichandan with Gandhi assumed significance amid the demand of all the 16 party MlAs to oust the former ahead of the panchayat polls for his alleged self-centred activities.
On the other hand, claiming that there is no dissidence in the party, Harichandan said, “We (he and Gandhi) discussed regarding the coming panchayat polls and organisational affairs. We also discussed issues of the current political scenario in Odisha,”
Asked about his ouster demand, Harichandan said all are united in the party. He refused to reveal any other details of his meeting with Rahul Gandhi to the media.
Earlier this week during the meeting between Gandhi and the 16 MlAs, the latter reportedly slammed the delegation for their demand of change in PCC guard when just three months are left for the rural polls.