Bhubaneswar : Senior Congress leader and Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) in-charge Ajoy Kumar today slammed both Governing BJD and BJP alleging both parties looting the State.
Dr.Kumar, who has been given the responsibility of Odisha Congress recently, received a rousing welcome from the Congress leaders and workers here on his maiden visit to Odisha after the appointment.
From Biju Patnaik International Airport, Dr.Kumar proceeded to Congress Bhavan in a grand procession through Hospital Square, Sishu Bhawan Square, Rajmahal Square and Master Canteen Square. An impressive bike rally was organised by the party.
The OPCC organised a welcome ceremony at the Congress Bhawan for Dr.Kumar.
Speaking to media persons, the OPCC in-charge said Congress will work with a slogan, ‘Odisha for Odias.” Outsiders like BJD and BJP should not rule the State.
Alleging that people from outside the state have captured important jobs, mining operations and politics, the senior Congress leader claimed that Odisha is virtually being run by political outsiders who must be ousted in order to uphold Odia pride and save the state. People of Odisha want the affairs of the state to be run by those from the state, he said.
“There is an undeclared jugalbandi between BJD and BJP in Odisha. This jugalbandi is harmful for Odisha. The outsiders are running the State but no one is speaking about it. In all spheres whether it is in politics or contracting, business and employment, outsiders are ripping the benefit. Then where will the people of Odisha go?” Dr.Kumar asked.
Quoting Abraham Lincoln, the Congress leader said, ‘This State is for Odia, by Odia and of Odia … no outsiders.”
“As per our survey, Congress is in a very strong position with at least 70 Assembly seats while there is a strong fight position in another 15 seats. In Lok Sabha seats, we are in a strong position in 12 to 15 constituencies,” claimed Dr.Kumar.
“If one can see the voting pattern in Rajya Sabha and there is no ED raid on any Minister’s properties in Odisha, it indicates that both BJD and BJP are on one side. While other state IAS officers’ VRS applications were remaining pending for long long days, in Odisha, the application was approved in three days,” he said.
So, Congress is united to fight with both the BJD and BJP in Odisha, which is a holy land, he said.
“I left my Lok Sabha constituency for Odisha. AICC told me to fight for Odisha because this state is more important than the LS seat,” said the Top Cop turned politician.
The ticket will be given on the basis of winnability only. Those who left the party and were not in contact with BJP or BJD will be welcomed back to the Congress, he added.
