Odisha Congress Suffers Jolt As Jharsuguda Dist President Quits Post Before Bypoll

Jharsuguda: In a jolt to Congress ahead of Jharsuguda Assembly bypoll in Odisha, senior party leader and district unit president Ashok Kumar Mishra resigned from the post.

Sources said Mishra has tendered his resignation from the post of Jharsuguda district Congress committee. He had sent his resignation letter to Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Pattanayak. He is also stated to have sent the letter to AICC.

The Congress leader reportedly made it clear that he has tendered his resignation only from the post of Jharsuguda district unit president and he continues to remain in the party.

Though the exact reason behind the step taken by Mishra is not yet clear, sources said he was feeling neglected as party leaders were not consulting him regarding maters relating to the forthcoming by-election slated to be held on May 10.

It was believed that Mishra was an aspirant for party ticket for the by-election. However, he was reportedly disheartened after Congress fielded Tarun Pandey for the bypoll.

While the ruling BJD has fielded Deepali Das, daughter of slain minister Naba Kishore Das whose murder led to the bypoll, BJP has nominated youth leader Tankadhar Tripathy for the May 10 by-election.