The Congress party on Tuesday appointed senior leader Bhakta Charan Das as the new president of its Odisha unit, marking a key leadership change ahead of the upcoming elections.

The decision comes months after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dissolved the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) in July following the party’s poor performance in both the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.

Das, a veteran politician and former Union Minister, replaces Sarat Pattanayak, who was the state Congress chief when the OPCC was dissolved. His appointment is seen as an effort to revitalize the party’s organization in Odisha and strengthen its presence in the state’s political landscape.

Party insiders believe that under Das’s leadership, Congress will focus on rebuilding its grassroots support and formulating a stronger electoral strategy. Further organizational changes are expected in the coming weeks as the party gears up for the upcoming political battles in Odisha.