‘Not Interested To Become Odisha Congress President’: Tara Bahinipati

Bhubaneswar: Amid a wide range of speculations over the selection of the new Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president, senior party leader and MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Monday said that he is not interested for the top post.

Stressing that he does not want to become the state Congress chief, the senior legislator told reporters that he has not been consulted so far by the party regarding the selection for the post of PCC president, which has been lying vacant for quite some time now.

“If the party consults me, I will give by suggestions. I don’t depend on anybody, nor anyone depends on me. A good leader should be made the PCC president. It will be good If someone with high rating is selected for the post,” Bahinipati said.

To a query, the senior leader said, “I am in politics for respect and name. I have never expressed my desire to become PCC president. We will abide by the decision of the party,” he said.

The senior MLA, who was not considered for the post of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, said that he has been working sincerely for the party in the Assembly despite being denied the post.

The senior Congress leader also refuted reports that some party leaders are in touch with BJP and said those who had joined BJD and the saffron outfit will soon come back to the grand old party