Bhubaneswar: Congress Veteran and former Minister Ganeswar Behera today resigned from the grand old party, just few days ahead of the election for Lok Sabha and State Assembly.
Shri Behera, a popular dalit leader from Kendrapara district, has submitted his resignation letter to Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sarat Pattanayak.
He quit from the primary membership of the party and requested the OPCC Chief to accept his resignation. Behera thanked the Congress party for giving him opportunity to serve the people, electing him as MLA and appointing him various posts.
Shri Behera was elected to the State Assembly twice in 1985 and 1995. He also served as Minister for a short period from 1999 to 2000. He was treated as one of the frontline leaders in the State Congress.
Shri Behera’s resignation came just two days after the switching over of another senior Congress leader from coastal Odisha, Chiranjib Biswal from Congress to ruling BJD. As per sources, Congress Veteran is also likely to join the BJD soon.
As one after another senior Congress leaders are leaving the party, it seems that Congress will not be able to give a tough fight in the upcoming elections against BJD and BJP. It is almost certain that Odisha is going to witness a bipolar fight between the BJD and BJP in almost all constituencies.