Bhubaneswar: Former Union Minister Srikant Jena today re-joined the Congress party after a gap of four years since he was expelled for ‘anti-party activities.’
He returned to the party fold in the presence of Ajoy Kumar, Odisha in-charge of Congress, and other leaders at AICC headquarters in New Delhi.
Ajoy Kumar welcomed him to the party. “Srikant Jena is not only a leader of the Congress party, but also he is an important leader socially and politically in Odisha. His absence in the party created many problems not only in Balasore constituency but also in Odisha. All the misunderstandings have been settled and he agreed to re-join the party. I would like to thank him,” said Ajoy Kumar.
Similarly, Jena also expressed pleasure in coming back to the party.
“There were some misunderstandings between me and AICC. I have met the Congress chief, Venugopal Ji and I had a long chat with Ajoy Ji. The misunderstandings have been sorted out. I have been working for the Congress though I was away from the party. I am glad that I am back again,” Jena said.
“There are challenges for the party in Odisha as both BJD and BJP are joining hands ahead of the elections. Congress and INDIA bloc will defeat them as their real face has been exposed,” he said.
In 2019, Jena was expelled from the Congress for alleged anti-party activities.
Jena was a former Union Minister in the previous UPA government.
