Odisha Polls: Cong Accuses BJD & BJP Of Wooing Its Leaders For Not Having Suitable Candidates

Bhubaneswar: Congress on Sunday accused BJD and BJP of wooing its leaders with tickets for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha as the two parties were not finding suitable candidates.

Speaking at a presser in Bhubaneswar, president of Congress media cell Biswaranjan Mohanty said his party has brought several leaders to prominence in state political arena.

“We do not feel the need to pick the leaders from other parties. But some of our leaders are deserting the Congress for the attraction of tickets offered by other parties in the ensuing elections,” said Mohanty.

On former minister Ganeswar Behera joining BJD after quitting the Congress, Mohanty said he was also introduced to state politics by the Congress. “We have not done any injustice to Behera. He left the party on his choice. It may pose temporary setback to the party in Kendrapada. But we have several strong leaders in the area who will throw a strong challenge to BJD and BJP in the elections,” he added.

Mohanty further said the Congress leaders are deserting the party for according their personal ambitions and aspirations higher position than the party’s interest. But the party will continue its fight against both BJD and BJP which are involved in such acts in the elections, he added.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that the BJD may field Behera from Kendrapada Assembly seat, which he had lost to Sashi Bhusan Behera in 2019 by a slender margin of 6,320 votes. He was in the fray in previous two polls too and lost to BJD candidates.