After the poor performance of Congress in Rourkela and Raghunathpalli Assembly segments, District Congress Committee (DCC) president of Rourkela Rabi Ray owning moral responsibility has tendered his resignation from the position.
However, since there is confusion over whether his resignation has been accepted or not, Ray is still presenting himself as DCC Rourkela chief. However, whether the PCC president will allow Ray to continue further as DCC chief or choose someone else is now debated here, considering the fact that the ULB elections are ahead.
In usual practice, while the PCC chief changes, he appoints DCC chief as per his choice. Since Patnaik is repeated by AICC, his decision will be crucial.
In 2019 elections, the party candidate in Rourkela Biren Senapaty and Prasant Sethy in Raghunathpalli Assembly constituency managed to secure a sizeable number of votes.
Despite losing the elections, both Senapaty and Sethy have been working together and raising certain public interest issues along with George Tirkey who was Congress MP candidate from Sundargarh last time. Ray too has been organising various programmes by taking his supporters which reveals a clear sign of groupism in the DCC.
So now, speculations are on as to who would be the next choice for DCC chief. While Prasad Harichandan was PCC president, Senapaty was his choice for DCC chief and to some extent, Senapaty had proved his organizational efficiency. Besides, Senapaty is a full timer politician. But when Patnaik became PCC chief, Senapaty had to lose his post as he was incompatible with the State head. Even during the ticket drama of party during 2019 election, it was well noticed that Senapaty was not the first preference for Rourkela seat. That is why unpredictably Muktikanta Biswal who is not at all a primary member of the party was allotted party ticket for Rourkela seat. Despite his refusal of the ticket, there was uncertainty over who would be chosen for ticket. Senapaty was picked up only as last option.
It is also discussed that before appointing the DCC president, the AICC may take the opinion of George Tirkey and in all probability, Tirkey would bat for Senapaty. But only time will say who wears the party’s district chief crown coming days.
