Internal squabble in the State Congress came to the fore once again with PCC president Prasad Harichandan and senior leader Bhakta Das having a wordy duel at a meeting held here on Tuesday.
The occasion was a convention to mark the 10th year completion of the MGNREGA introduced by the Congress-led UPA Government. Hundreds of workers and leaders attended the programme. The exchange of words between Das and Harichandan started soon after former Narla block chairman Ashok Chand began his speech. Das, who was sitting at one end of the dais, all of a sudden stood up and went to Harichandan sitting in the middle and wanted to know why he invited Chand, who belongs to Das’ Kalahandi district, had earlier left the party and joined the Samajwadi Party. In replay, Harichandan said something in a loud voice which was audible to workers and mediapersons.
Interestingly, to keep the two away from camera, two leaders went to them and sat covering them.
Prior to this, in his speech, leader of Opposition Mishra had expressed unhappiness that the party has suffered losses due to internal squabbles only.
“While party workers are strong in mind, why we (leaders) have differences among usIJ For this, the party is losing elections, and hence, this has to be solved soon,” opined Mishra.
However, Das, while speaking to reporters later, denied having quarreled with Harichandan. “I asked Harichandan to give me a chance first as I had to return to Kalahandi on an urgent work. I did not say anything breaking discipline of the party,” Das told reporters.
Similarly, Harichanda said nothing awkward happened between them. “He (Das) didn’t say anything you mean. If you suppose something, ask him,” Harichandan told reporters in a rather angry voice.