Even as the incumbent Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harischandan in facing a revolt from his party colleagues, All India Pradesh Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi held marathon talks with State party leaders at his residence in New Delhi on Monday.
Besides, senior leaders, party MlAs, Congress Odisha in-charges BK Hariprasad and Subhankar Sarkar also attended the meeting which was held to strengthen the party’s organisational structure in the State ahead of the 2019 elections. PCC president Prasad Harichandan, leader of Opposition in State Assembly Narasingha Mishra, former PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik and other senior leaders Bhakta Das, Srikant Jena, Jaydev Jena, Chiranjib Biswal and Naba Das attended the meeting.
However, after emerging from the meeting, most of the leaders were tightlipped about what transpired between them and Gandhi, except saying that it was held to revamp the organization. They denied that any talks were held on the change of PCC president.
Niranjan Patnaik said there were no discussions on change of party leadership. Discussions were held on how to strengthen the party organisation, he said.
Echoing his statements Jharsuguda MlA Naba Das said discussions were held to restructure the party organisation and ensure that the party is able to effectively take on the BJP and the BJD in the 2019 elections and emerges victorious.
Narsingha Mishra said he is satisfied with the discussions. But he cannot reveal the internal matters of the party before the media.
Hariprasad said deliberations were held basically to bolster the party organisation at the grassroots level.
On Tuesday, Rahul would also hold discussions with the party’s Chief Whip in the Assembly Tara Prasad Bahinpati and other leaders who have been vocal for a change in leadership blaming Prasad for the party’s debacle in the panchayat elections in the State.