Bhubaneswar: Political observers note that the Congress party’s recent initiatives in Odisha, including the Sankalp Padyatra in Feb and Thursday’s “assembly gherao” programme, which drew thousands of supporters, signal a renewed effort to re-establish their influence in the state. Since assuming the role of Congress state president on Feb 11, Bhakta Das has focused on engaging and motivating party workers at the grassroots level.
Political analyst Debasis Das observes “The Congress has shown increased enthusiasm since last month, with the new president implementing various programmes to strengthen the party’s position in the state. All leaders and workers appear to be united. Coordination between the Congress legislature party and Pradesh Congress committee leaders looks smooth.”
The Congress, which lost power in the state in 2000, has struggled to rebuild its foundation. Their last period in govt was from 1995 to 2000, with late Janaki Ballav Patnaik serving as CM from Mar 1995 to Feb 1999, followed by Giridhar Gamang for about 10 months until December 1999. The party faced its most significant setback in the 2019 assembly elections, losing its position as the main opposition to BJP.
Analysts observe encouraging signs following the Congress’s successful mobilisation of thousands for the Sankalp Padyatra from Bhubaneswar to Puri on Feb 18, shortly after Bhakta’s appointment.
“We are optimistic about our revival in the state. The efforts started from Sankalp Padayatra. We will continue to rise,” Bhakta said, explaining that the Sankalp march and ‘assembly gherao’ programme aimed to connect with people and strengthen grassroots support by raising issues concerning the state.
Bhakta has made his intention clear to strengthen the party by taking everyone alongside and overcoming the perennial infighting in the party. He issued an order on Feb 14 that reversed previous suspensions and dismissals of party leaders. The directive reinstated all suspended or expelled party members, aiming to incorporate experienced Congress leaders, who had been marginalised.
Before the 2024 state elections, scheduled in four phases during May and June, the Congress state unit aimed to increase its assembly seats from 9 in 2019 to 90 in 2024. Despite increasing to 14 seats recently, its vote share declined from 17% to 13.26%.
“A complete restructuring of the OPCC is long overdue. Congress has an opportunity to strengthen its base after BJD’s downfall. Das and AICC leaders should immediately relook their strategies to gain ground to replace the BJD as the main opposition,” said R K Mohanty, another political analyst. “Since BJP is the main rival of Congress at the Centre, the fight between the two in Odisha would be keenly watched in the future,” Mohanty added.