Cong MLAs meet Sonia, Rahul

The Pioneer, 5th August, 2009

PNS Bhubaneswar

The demand to oust leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh has gained momentum after 11 MLAs of State Congress on Tuesday called on All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. “To save the Congress the young generation should be promoted. We have already intimated our feelings to Soniaji and Rahulji. Young generation should be given more responsibility and steps should be taken to revive the Congress in State,” said senior party MLA Santosh Singh Saljua.The MLAs were upset after the leader of Opposition failed to corner the Government on several issues. The Opposition could not able to capitalise on the mining scam issue that rocked the State Assembly. The Government even did not pay any heed to the Opposition’s demand to at least form a House Committee of the Assembly to inquire into the matter. On the other hand, the BJP, with only seven legislators, scored over the 27-member-strong Congress group during the session. While Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh had a lacklustere performance all along, leader of the BJP Legislature Party KV Singh Deo presented a qualitative leadership to the Opposition. KV, with the help of a small group of party members, almost brought the ruling BJD to its knees on the alleged multi-crore mining scam. The Chief Minister, finding him on the back foot, had to order a Vigilance inquiry into the massive illegal mining in Keonjhar district. The Opposition Congress allowed the Government to escape lightly after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered for a Vigilance inquiry into the matter. It also failed to take up other issues including the rising Maoist menace and price rise. Due to ineffectiveness of the Opposition, it was able to pass two private university Bills for establishment of the Vedanta and Sri Sri Ravishankar universities. Demand also cropped up to oust PCC president KP Singh Deo.