Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhakta Charan Das has announced that the Congress party will fight the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections independently, without any alliance with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Speaking to the media, Bhakta Charan Das stated that while there were ongoing discussions regarding a possible alliance with the BJD for the local body polls, strong dissatisfaction has emerged among a large section of Congress leaders and workers over the issue.“Many leaders and workers expressed their unease with the idea of allying with BJD.
Taking their sentiments into account, we have decided that Congress will contest the Panchayat and Municipal elections on its own strength,” the PCC President said. He made it clear: “Congress will fight alone. We will not fight together with BJD in the upcoming Panchayat and municipal elections.” However, Das left the door slightly open for the future. He added that if the need arises during the Assembly elections, any decision regarding an alliance would be taken only after detailed discussions with the party’s high command (AICC).
An alliance, if any, would be formed only with the consent of both parties and the approval of the central leadership. This reversal comes shortly after Bhakta Charan Das had hinted at the possibility of a Congress-BJD alliance for the Panchayat polls, subject to high command approval. The latest announcement appears to be a response to internal party pressure and feedback from the grassroots level. The decision is being seen as an attempt by the PCC leadership to maintain unity within the party and strengthen its independent identity ahead of the local elections, which are expected to be held later this year.
Congress workers have largely welcomed the decision, with many saying it will help the party consolidate its base without any external dependence. Further details on seat-sharing or strategy are expected to be announced in the coming days as the party gears up for the polls.
