Union Minister for labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes, who visited Odisha on Sunday to lay the foundation stone of an ESIC Medical College and Hospital here, said that he has no information about speculations over leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh’s plan to quit the Congress and to join the BJD.
In response to a question about the Bhupinder Singh issue, Fernandes told mediapersons to ask the party’s Odisha-in-charge BK Hariprasad, who is dealing with the issue. Union Minister Srikant Jena, who is heading the party’s Campaign Committee in the State, was also not clear about the affair relating to Singh. “As per the information I have, he is sick and under treatment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fernandes’ visit led Congress leaders here to make a beeline to meet him as he is the head of the AICC Screening Committee for Selection of party candidates from Odisha for the ensuing elections. He is likely to meet some party leaders to discuss the wining prospects of the candidates who have been recommended by the Pradesh Election Committee (PEC). He might also discuss the Bhupinder Singh issue matter with the top State leaders.