Congress indicates disciplinary action against Itish Pradhan

Itish Pradhan, convenor of Odisha-unit of NSUI, may get punished for criticizing Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik in public. Congress says he could have aired his grievances, if there were any, in a party forum.

New Delhi: Indicating disciplinary action against Itish Pradhan, convenor of Odisha-unit of NSUI for his alleged outburst against Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik in public, Congress Odisha in-charge Jeetendra Singh on Saturday said his act was deplorable as he could have taken up the issues in a party forum.

Interacting with the media persons here at the Congress headquarters along with Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik, Singh said Pradhan's act of criticising another party leader publicly was not acceptable.

Patnaik, who was in the national capital to meet Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, told reporters that Itish leveling aligations against me shows his frustration.

" He had contested the assembly elections and lost it by a huge margin. He is trying to blame me for that. I don't want to give importance to that," he said.

In Odisha on Thursday last, Itish had told media persons that Patnaik had joined hands with BJD and promoted dynastic politics by giving ticket to his son to contest Lok Sabha polls from Balasore constituency.

“The anti-party activities of OPCC president will not be tolerated anymore. We will give him sleepless nights and not allow him to enter Odisha,” he was quoted as saying in media reports.