Dr Tirupathi Panigrahi, who had earlier filed nomination papers for the Paralakhemundi Assembly seat, has said that he would be in the poll-fray as Independent candidate even as the Congress ticket was given to incumbent MLA K Surya Rao.
After Panigrahi’s revelation, hundreds of Congress workers resigned from the party in order to support him. Among Many Sarapanches, Samiti Members, two ZP Members, party’s five zonal presidents- Akil Patra, Gunju Gomango, M Krishan Rao, S Bal Raju and Jeva Ratnam, Congress State general secretary Himanshu Lima quit the party.
Similarly, 37 of 42 DCC members quit the party.
Notably, the party had entrusted Dr Panigrahi the charge to strengthen the party in Gajapati district some eight months back. He conducted as many as 150 meetings at booth and district levels. But MLA K Surya Rao, who had announced not to contest polls, has been given the party ticket.
Panigrahi said he was not given a ticket due to some brokers in the party and time would speak about the deal. He thanked Gajapati Congress leaders for resigning and extending support to him.