Sarat Patnaik's choice surprises many

By Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR, OCT. 23. The ouster of the former Chief Minister, Mr. J.B. Patnaik, as president of the Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee has not come as a surprise for the Congressmen in the State, but the appointment of the former MP from Bolangir, Mr. Sarat Patnaik, in his place has surprised many.

No leader has opposed Mr. Sarat Patnaik's appointment, as he has been chosen by the AICC president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi. At the same time, no group is rejoicing over his selection.

Mr. Patnaik does not belong to any faction in the party and is considered an outsider with little or no involvement in State politics, spending more time in New Delhi than in Bhubaneswar.

The high command's expectations from Mr. Sarat Patnaik could be rather exaggerated. The leadership believes that the young Patnaik would infuse new blood in the faction-ridden State unit.

Mr. Sarat Patnaik was never a leader with statewide appeal. Though a two-time MP from Bolangir and former president of the State Youth Congress, he owed his political fortunes to the Gandhi clan. For some reasons, he had caught the attention of the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, and was subsequently given the party ticket to fight the Lok Sabha polls. His unwavering loyalty to the first family of the Congress is yielding results even now.

As Mr. Sarat Patnaik has been thrust upon the state unit by the high command, he may face difficulties like Mr. Giridhar Gamang did after he replaced Mr. J.B. Patnaik as Chief Minister in 1999.

Meanwhile, Mr. J.B. Patnaik has said he would extend full cooperation to the new leader. On his return from New Delhi today, Mr. Patnaik said his departure from the PCC would not affect the party's functioning.

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