I will remain in Congress till my last breath: Narasingha Mishra

ONI Bureau: Politics is a complex subject; it does make strange bedfellows. Neither we have friends nor enemies in Politics. It’s proved beyond doubt time and again. All political parties in India follow this tradition and Odisha is no exception. Whether it’s Bhupinder Singh, Giridhar Gamang, Jayaram Pangi and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik in Odisha or ND Tiwari, SM Krishna and Jagadambika Pal at the national level, we keep witnessing leaders switching sides depending on the circumstances. It no longer amuses us. It does not come as a shock or surprise either.

There has been a huge debate in Odisha these days following the disclosure of disgruntled Congress leader Krushna Chandra Sagaria, who after resigning as an MLA and then from all party posts, shot off an open letter to Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra accusing him of playing into the hands of Biju Janata Dal. He also accused Mr. Mishra of colluding with CM Naveen Patnaik, which prompted the Opposition BJP to raise questions on alleged BJD-Congress nexus, citing Bhupinder Singh example of 2014.

However, Narasingha Mishra put all speculations into rest, saying he would continue to be in the Congress till his last breath. “All my critics and rumour-mongers would be proved wrong,” he said. Although there have been rumours and speculations in the past 18 months over his alleged “cordial relations” with the BJD, Narasingha Mishra always rejected the allegations and maintained that Congress remains his home for decades and he won’t ditch it.

Some reports suggest that Narasingha Mishra may retire from politics ahead of 2019 polls, passing the baton to his son. However, political pundits are left to speculate whether the ‘Son will rise in Congress or BJD’.