Bhubaneswar: In a strategic move to bolster its presence and energize its women’s wing in Odisha, All India Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge today appointed veteran leader Meenakshi Bahinipati as the President of the Odisha Pradesh Women’s Congress.
The appointment, announced by All India Congress Committee General Secretary KC Venugopal, signals the party’s intent to revitalize its grassroots machinery in the state, particularly ahead of the upcoming local body and state assembly elections.
Smt. Bahinipati’s return to this pivotal role is seen by political observers as a calculated decision, leveraging her extensive experience and deep roots within the party.
She previously held the position of President of the Pradesh Women’s Congress, demonstrating her prior leadership capabilities. Her impressive 10-year tenure as President of the Koraput District Congress Committee further underscores her organizational prowess and influence at the regional level.
Additionally, her past service as General Secretary of the Pradesh Congress Committee and two terms as President of Koraput Pooranchal highlight her long-standing commitment and diverse experience within the party structure.
The appointment has been met with positive reactions from the state leadership, with Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das, Odisha in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu, and All India Women’s Congress President Alka Lamba expressing their deep gratitude. This collective endorsement suggests a unified front in supporting Smt.Bahinipati’s leadership.
In a press release issued by PCC Media Coordinator Deepak Kumar Mahapatra, Smt. Bahinipati articulated her vision for the Odisha Pradesh Women’s Congress. She affirmed her commitment to upholding the “ideals, philosophy, and commitment” of All India Congress Committee President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
Her statement emphasizes the strengthening of women’s organizations across Odisha and an acceleration of the struggle for women’s rights, aligning the state unit’s agenda with the national party’s broader objectives.
This focus on women’s empowerment could be a key plank in the Congress’s strategy to connect with a significant voter demographic in the state.