Former Odisha CM Hemananda Biswal rules out quitting Congress

Former Odisha Chief Minister and Ex Lok Sabha MP Hemananda Biswal has dismissed the rumors and speculations that he is planning to quit the Congress and join the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). “I am a Congressman and will remain so forever”, he clarified.

There was a panic in the Congress camp after some local newspapers reported that Hemananda would quit the party soon. The party was at a loss to explain, as it has already lost a prominent tribal leader and former CM Giridhar Gamang to the BJP.

Hemananda’s clarification brought huge relief to the beleaguered Odisha Congress, but the report cannot be ignored outright. It can be recalled that then Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly, Bhupinder Singh too rubbished such reports, but later quit the party and joined the BJD just ahead of Assembly polls. Hope the Congress does not get another setback in Odisha!