Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader, Prasad Harichandan Thursday publicly broke down and said that he was not a trader who broke deals.
Former OPCC Chief , Mr.Prasad, a three time MLA elected from Satyabadi Assembly segment in 1995, 2000 and 2009.
He was also a former Minister Home during Giridhar Gamang Government.
Mr.Harichandan said this at a press conference while responding to rumor that he had struck a secret deal with the ruling BJD.
The allegations were made after the Congress failed to field candidates in six Zilla Parishad seats under Satyabadi assembly in the panchayat elections.
He was also accused by critics of forging a deal with BJD for which the Congress did not field any candidate.
However, Mr.Prasad said: “I’m not going to the BJD or BJP. I’m not a trader and I don’t strike deals. I don’t have to strike a deal with the government for personal gains,” he told reporters.
Mr.Prasad said: “The people who are spreading lies against me are the ones striking deals and I will expose them soon”.
He said ticket distribution was not his job. “It is the OPCC President who distributes tickets for the party candidates and not me. Better you ask the OPCC president,” he said.
The Congress should fight the BJD and BJP in Satyabadi. But, unfortunately, we are busy with infighting there. We need to put up a united front, he said.
OPCC President Niranjan Patnaik was not available for comment as he is infected to COVID-19.
Ex OPCC Chief announced that he would not contest the 2024 general elections.
Mr.Prasad said: “I’m not running away from politics. I will remain in the Congress and work for the party,” he said.
He also dared to quit politics if allegations against him are proved.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commission, Odisha in a release said that Congress has fielded 836 candidates of the 852 Zilla Parishad member posts while BJP has given 848 nominees.
The ruling BJD has filed the highest 851 candidates in the Zilla Parishad seats.
Other parties which fielded candidates were: BSP-159, CPI-38,CPI(M)-72, AAP-32, AJSU-12,JMM-47others -214 and IND-298. Total 3,407 candidates are in the fray for the 852 ZP seats.