Odisha Congress Chief Whip Bahinipati hints at quitting

Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: Congress chief whip in the Odisha assembly Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Sunday indicated that he might quit from his post after the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature.

“This may be my last stint as chief whip of Congress in the assembly. I am ready to quit if my decision makes others happy and I don’t want to be an obstacle for them,” Bahinipati told media persons here.

“I am not interested in remaining in the chief whip’s post anymore,” he added.

The Congress leader, however, said he would take the final decision after meeting the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge and the leader of opposition.

The three-time Congress legislator has been facing a veiled threat of ouster since the visit to New Delhi by 12 of the 16 legislators on last month. The legislators also met the party’s central leadership in the national capital.

“I bear no grudge or have any qualms against any fellow partymen nor have any demand from the party high command. As a disciplined soldier of the Congress party, I would volunteer to opt out so that the party’s image remains intact and untarnished,” Bahinipati said.

The Congress leader also expressed his dissatisfaction over the visit of his colleagues to Delhi, observing that it was not a good signal for the Congress in the state.

“If they want to make somebody else as party chief whip, I have no problem. I will not be an obstacle for anyone,” Bahinipati added.  (IANS)