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Orissa
By Prafulla Das
A large number of dissident Congressmen have left for New Delhi to meet the party president, Sonia Gandhi, and request her to choose another leader to head the party in the State. It is believed that the dissidents are acting at the behest of a few senior leaders who have an eye on the PCC president's post. Some lesser-known leaders, said to be close to Sarat Patnaik till recently, have also joined hands with the dissidents. The AICC president had selected Sarat Patnaik nearly two years ago to replace the former Chief Minister, J.B. Patnaik. As a result, Sarat Patnaik never got the former Chief Minister's support in strengthening the party. The PCC chief was also unable to get the support of several other senior leaders who were unhappy at his selection as the party's head in the State. Consequently, the PCC chief has been spending as much time drawing up plans to counter the dissidents as in taking steps to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. What has surprised many is that the dissidents have gathered strength even though the AICC president came here to address a rally on June 7 and asked all Congressmen to work hand in hand. Ms. Gandhi addressed a well-attended rally, despite the dissidents extending little support to the PCC chief. Though the elections to the urban local bodies across the State are round the corner, a change in the PCC leadership appears to have become the main agenda for a majority of Congress leaders in the State. The dissidents, however, do not have a single leader. There are at least 10 leaders who were hopeful of succeeding Sarat Patnaik. This lack of unity among the dissidents may help the PCC chief continue in his chair. If the dissidents succeed in their attempt, it will be their second victory against the AICC president's choice. Ms. Gandhi had chosen Giridhar Gamang as the Chief Minister in 1999, replacing J.B. Patnaik. But Mr. Gamang had an unceremonious exit when the dissidents raised a banner of revolt.
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