Cong Debacle In 5 States: PCC Presidents Not Alone To Blame, Says Odisha Cong Chief

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik on Wednesday termed the decision of party president Sonia Gandhi on ouster of PCC presidents of 5 states following poll debacle as ‘exemplary’ but said only they are not responsible.

Speaking to media on his reaction to Congress president’s decision, Patnaik said various factors were responsible for the party’s poor performance in the Assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa, and Manipur. Though the PCC presidents are accountable for the results, they alone cannot be held responsible, he added.

Stating that huge amount of money has come into play in the elections, Patnaik said the PCC presidents are handicapped by lack of funds.

On Odisha scene, he said he has written to the party high command several times offering his resignation but it has not been accepted. He would continue to serve the party irrespective of the posts, he added.

Replying to questions on Congress performance in panchayat polls and preparation for elections to urban civic bodies, he said, “We cannot complain about the results. The party does not have funds to match with others for election expenditure. From selection of candidates to get the votes, others are spending huge amount. In this scenario, we have no choice,” he said.

However, OPCC president said he has told the party leaders and workers not to get swayed away by money game, which is a threat to the democracy, and contest the elections with honesty and integrity.