Bhubaneswar: The Congress on Friday appointed senior leader Lalji Desai as the new AICC in-charge for Odisha in a key organisational reshuffle announced by the party leadership.
Desai, who was the Congress Seva Dal president, replaces Ajay Kumar Lallu as the AICC in-charge for Odisha.
In the same exercise, the party named Sanjay Dutt as the AICC in-charge for Haryana replacing B K Hariprasad, and Rajendra Pal Gautam as the new in-charge for Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect.
The appointments were announced in a communication issued by AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, which said the Congress president had approved the changes.
The party also relieved outgoing in-charges Hariprasad, Lallu and Ajay Rai of their responsibilities and appreciated their contribution to the organisation.
Desai’s appointment assumes significance as the Congress looks to rejuvenate the party organisation in Odisha and sharpen its preparations for future electoral contests in the state, where the it has been out of power since 2000.
The changes in are also seen as part of the Congress’ continuing effort to strengthen its organisational structure and revive its political fortunes in states where it has struggled to regain lost ground.
