Congress Fully Prepared For Dhamnagar Bypoll & 2024 Elections In Odisha: OPCC Chief

Bhubaneswar: Congress is fully prepared for the by-election to Dhamnagar assembly constituency and confident of a good show as people of Odisha are fed up with the misrule of BJD in the last 22 years, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sarat Pattanayak said on Monday.

Describing all elections as acid tests for political parties, the OPCC chief told reporters in Bhubaneswar that it will be a direct fight between Congress and the ruling Biju Janta Dal (BJD) in Dhamnagar bypoll to be held on November 3.

Though Congress was relegated to the third position in the 2019 Assembly polls, the party has substantially improved its position by strengthening the organisation at the grassroots, Pattanayak said.

“Now we are in a strong position to take on the ruling BJD as our party is being rejuvenated. Our poll prospects have brightened,” he said.

Stating that preparations are on in full swing not only for Dhamnagar bypoll but for the 2024 elections too, he said discussions are being held with district and block level leaders, while a candidate will be chosen in consultation with AICC.

Dubbing BJD and BJP as partners, the OPCC president asserted that Congress is fast emerging as the only alternative in Odisha as people are keen to dethrone the Naveen Patnaik government in the 2024 elections due to its failure in the last 22 years.

Noting that Congress is gearing up to take on BJD and BJP in 2024 polls, he accused the BJD government of having failed on all fronts. While no step has been taken to provide unemployed youths with jobs, the plight of farmers has worsened as their problems are not being addressed, the Congress leader said.

Claiming that people of the state are disillusioned with the government because of the unprecedented price rise, he said the voters are also aware of the close bond that exists between BJD and BJP.

“People of Odisha are now well aware that BJD and BJP are like brothers who help each other at the cost of people’s interests. Therefore, they want to oust the BJD government in the state in 2024 elections,” the PCC chief said.