Will Congress Play Tribal Card In Selecting PCC Chief For Odisha?

Bhubaneswar: After dissolution of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), all eyes are set to know who is going to head the party unit now. Many wonder whether the grand old party will play the tribal card while selecting the Odisha Congress chief. Speculations are rife that Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka may be made the next PCC chief. The influence of Saptagiri, the lone Congress Lok Sabha member from Odisha, appears to be on the rise. Same formula seemed to have been adopted by Congress while choosing its legislature party leader. Pottangi MLA Rama Chandra Kadam, considered a Saptagiri loyalist, has been made the CLP leader in the state. While Saptagiri seems to be ahead in the race for the PCC president post, Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati’s statement has made the discussion more interesting.

Love & Hate Relationship

After the removal of Sarat Pattanayak from the post of PCC president, the names of several leaders who may be in the race to succeed him are being discussed. However, Saptagiri, considered close to Rahul Gandhi, is stated to be ahead in the race for the top post. With increasing influence of Saptagiri, the importance of Tara Prasad Bahinipati is said to have declined to some extent. His statement has also become a hot topic of discussion in political circles. He said if Saptagiri is made the PCC president, it will be good for the party. Stating that Congress MLAs are now working under the leadership of Kadam, Bahinipati said there should be no problem if Saptagiri becomes the state Congress chief.

Will Winning Face Lead The Party?

The AICC has dissolved the Congress unit in Odisha after the recent elections in the same way it had done in Rajasthan in 2020. In the run up to the recent elections, it was claimed that some Congress leaders were in contact with Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Party leaders had even openly mounted attack on Sarat Pattanayak. By dissolving the state unit, the AICC has paved the way for restructuring of the PCC in Odisha. Observers are of the view that the grand old party is likely to put a winning leader at the helm instead of entrusting the job to someone who has lost the elections. This will instill confidence among the party workers and boost their morale. Saptagiri won two successive Lok Sabha elections from the tribal-dominated Koraput in 2019 and 2024. He is considered the most suitable choice for the post of PCC chief in view of his proximity to Rahul Gandhi.

Countering BJP’s Tribal Card

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has played the tribal card effectively in Odisha, first by making Droupadi Murmu the President and then by installing Mohan Charan Majhi as the Chief Minister. Adopting a special strategy, BJP appeared to have grabbed the tribal vote bank of Congress. Therefore, Congress is likely select a tribal leader for the post of PCC chief and Saptagiri can be the best bet for the grand old party.

New Face, New Spirit

Adopting a new strategy, Congress may now go for a new face like Saptagiri to lead the party in the state. The grand old party has not been able to revive the organisation despite putting senior leaders at the helm in the state for many years. The party has failed to get rid of groupism and internal tussle among leaders. At a time when Congress is witnessing a rejuvenation in its organisation, Odisha seems to be in focus now. Along with organising capabilities, a leader with dynamism and new ideas is required to pull the party out of morass in Odisha. Saptagiri has also expressed his willingness to discharge the duty as PCC chief, if asked by the AICC.

Beyond Koraput

Rama Chandra Kadam, MLA from Pottangi in Koraput, has been made the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader. Potting Assembly segment also falls under Koraput Lok Sabha constituency. If Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka is made the PCC chief, it may trigger resentment among leaders in other parts of the state. Though Congress performed very well in Koraput in the recent elections, the party needs to focus on the entire state for its revival.