Cong MLAs meet Sonia, whiff of change in PCC leadership

Times of India, 5th August, 2009

By : Rajaram Satapathy

BHUBANESWAR: Call it a post-election political pilgrimage or a courtesy call. A group of Congress MLAs from Orissa on Tuesday let their voice heard

before those who matter in the party Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. While Congress sources here said it was a courtesy call by the newly elected legislators, party insiders insisted it was the first step by the MLAs for a change in leadership at least at the PCC level. Kantabanjhi MLA Santosh Singh Saluja, who reportedly took a lead role in taking the group to the national capital, remained out of bounds to offer any comments. Talsara MLA Prafulla Majhi, who accompanied the team, denied that they demanded change in the leadership. "We met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and discussed party affairs. It was a courtesy visit. We did not make any demand for a change in leadership," said Majhi when contacted on the phone. Other legislators were equally unwilling to speak much on their maiden visit to the Congress citadel in New Delhi. Instead, every one advised to speak to Saluja, who nevertheless virtually remained incommunicado. Congress sources here described the MLAs' maiden visit to New Delhi after the elections as a prelude to strengthening their voice for a change in leadership. Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh, who is away in his constituency in Kalahandi district, said he was not aware of the MLAs' visit. "I heard someone making a demand for young leaders. Others said it was a courtesy visit. I have not kept track who is going where. I am transparent. I don't believe in hanky-panky business. I am doing the work assigned to me," Singh said. Post-election, Congress in Orissa has been passing through a deep crisis with party cadres completely demoralized and frustrated over the result that fetched the party just 27 seats in the 147-member Assembly. What have added fuel to the fire within the party are the poor performance of both PCC president KP Singhdeo and the Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh, both of whom are described as "too soft" and "subdued" to take on the Naveen Patnaik government despite scores of issues in hand. The Congress' performance in the just-concluded Assembly session was also not up to the mark, which has saddened the party further. "We committed blunders during the elections by projecting ourselves as an extension wing of the BJD. People perceived our national leadership as having entered into a secret understanding with Naveen Patnaik for helping them return to power at the Centre. We got the results accordingly," said a senior Congress leader. A party functionary said, "If the same attitude and activities continue, it would not take much time for the Congress to be decimated completely in the state. Already, the party has a dearth of leaders who could command the support of all in the present situation. The visit of the MLAs, many of whom are youngsters, should be viewed from this perspective for effecting tangible change and not just a visit to New Delhi," said a party functionary.