Prasad Harichandan rubbishes ‘Infighting’ reports in Odisha Congress

Clearly on the back foot, PCC President Prasad Harichandan has rubbished the allegations of infighting and power struggle among the MLAs of the party in Odisha. All those reports were fabricated and misleading, he said.

The PCC President sought to give a careful excuse over the Delhi visit of 12 party MLAs recently on July 20, saying they invited Rahul Gandhi to visit Odisha. “They had also given a proposal to Rahul Gandhi on the party organisation in the state. Rahul had asked them to discuss the matter with me. And, they did so,” revealed Prasad.

Prior to the press briefing, the PCC President had a meeting with all 12 MLAs, who had gone to Delhi. Later, the MLAs met Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra at his residence.

There was a political storm over the July 20 visit of Congress MLAs after senior Congress leader Lulu Mohapatra told the media that they had gone to Delhi, seeking the ouster of Taraprasad Bahinipati as the party’s Chief Whip. Chiranjib Biswal was leading  the rebels. Naba Das, Anshuman Mohanty, Dr. Prafulla Majhi etc. were part of that group.