Odisha Mahila Congress chief quits party

In a jolt to the opposition Congress ahead of the polls, Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sumitra Jena Tuesday resigned from the party.

"I have resigned from the post of Mahila Congress president as well as from the primary membership of the party," Jena told reporters here.

She accused the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik of ignoring women while selecting candidates for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Jena also accused the OPCC president of fielding weak candidates against the ruling BJD candidates.

Expressing discontent over being denied a party ticket to contest from the Bhadrak assembly segment, Jena said, "I was an aspirant for the Bhadrak assembly seat, but the party ticket went to someone who was not even a primary member of the party," Jena said.

 

The Congress has fielded Nalinikant Mohanty from the Bhadrak assembly seat against BJDs Sanjeev Mallick and BJPs Pradeep Naik.

Launching a scathing attack on Patnaik, who is contesting from two assembly segments - Ghashipura in Keonjhar district and Bhandaripokhari in Bhadrak district, Jena said, "The OPCC president has also fielded his son from the Balasore Lok Sabha seat."

Jena also lashed out at party chief Niranjan Patnaik for his dynasty politics and restricting women empowerment in politics.

"Patnaik has become the OPCC president to take revenge of his removal from the post in 2012. His leadership will further weaken Congress," Jena said.

Jena also criticised Patnaik for not taking action against the miscreants who manhandled her at the state party headquarters a few days ago.