BHUBANESWAR, Apr 27: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) new President selection has become a big headache and an impasse for the party. The face off between the PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik and legislator Suresh Routray has boiled down to a war of words.
The recent remarks of veteran Cong. leader and the Jatani MLA, Suresh Ch. Routray on this issue has allegedly made it murkier and questionable too. He had remarked that the PCC heads in Odisha are always mandated by the BJD supremo. For this flamboyant and remarks in public, MLA Suresh has been given with a show-cause notice today by Niranjan Patnaik.
It’s pertinent to mention here that Routray, had recently triggered a row by claiming that Odisha CM takes the final call with respect to the selection of OPCC president. This out of the box statement has earned criticisms for his own party members starting from Odisha to Delhi Forum.
“Such kind of statement is not expected from a senior party leader like you. You are requested to submit a satisfactory reply soon explaining under what circumstances you gave the statement,” Patnaik said in the letter.
“After getting reply from you, it would be sent to AICC for its perusal,” the letter further read.
Responding to the show cause notice, Routray said that he will not apologies for his statement.
“I have not committed any blunder. OPCC president himself and senior leader Jaydev Jena have spoken in similar vein earlier. They should first apologise for their statements. There is no question of seeking apology for my slip of tongue,” said Routray.
