AICC team to visit Orissa to review poll debacle

Gamang and president of the Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Hemananda Biswal, who were at New Delhi to apprise the high command about the reasons behind the party’s debacle in the State, returned to Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Both of them drew Sonia’s attention to the sabotage by senior leaders of the State, which led to the debacle. In fact, almost all the defeated candidates had identified sabotage as one of the major reasons behind their defeat.

The Chief Minister said that there has been no discussion with the high command about a change in the State leadership of the party. Gamang said that the debacle of the party in Orissa was being reviewed by the high command.

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that he is not aware of any dissident movement in the State Congress. Gamang, however, added that dissension is always good in a democracy. He parried a question on Cabinet expansion, saying that it will be done at the appropriate time.

Gamang defended the massive bureaucratic reshuffle effected by him after the Congress debacle, saying that it had nothing to do with polls. "It is a normal process," he added.

The Chief Minister ruled early Assembly polls in the State. "Why should I recommend early polls to the Assembly?" he asked. Gamang also denied having submitted his resignation, owning moral responsibility for the Congress poll debacle in Orissa.