BHUBANESWAR: The infighting in the State Congress has spilled into the open with senior leader Bhakta Charan Das threatening to go on fast-unto-death if necessary over the appointment of former MLA Gobardhan Das as Kalahandi District Congress Committee (KDCC) president.
A war of words ensued between Das and president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Prasad Harichandan with the latter stating that the matter should not have been taken to the media. “He could have gone to higher party authorities with his complaint, but going to the media on the issue was not proper,” Harichandan said.
The OPCC president said all former ministers, MPs, MLAs and senior leaders were consulted before appointment of Das as the KDCC president. The high command was also apprised of the opinion of all the senior leaders, he said.
Reacting to Harichandan’s statement, the former Union minister said the party will suffer further if such an attitude is taken. “Attempt should be made to settle differences in the party, but I will not tolerate if any attempt is made to blame me,” he said.
The former Union minister alleged on Sunday that he was not consulted over the appointment of the former MLA as the president of KDCC.