Odisha Congress President Revokes Expulsions, Announces Sankalp Padayatra

Bhubaneswar, Feb 14 – In a significant move aimed at strengthening party unity, newly appointed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das on Friday revoked the suspension and expulsion orders issued against several party leaders. The decision is seen as a strategic step to consolidate the party’s position ahead of upcoming political challenges.

Das also extended an open invitation to former party members who had previously parted ways with the Congress, assuring them of a warm welcome should they reaffirm their commitment to the party’s principles and ideology.

Sankalp Padayatra Announced

In another key development, the OPCC President, after consultations with senior party leaders, announced the launch of the Sankalp Padayatra from Bhubaneswar to Puri on February 18. The march is intended to demonstrate party solidarity and engage with the public on various issues.

A 17-member committee, chaired by former MLA Debashish Pattnaik, has been formed to oversee the event’s organization. Other members of the committee include prominent leaders such as former MLA Mohammed Mukim and Uma Ballav Rath, as well as party MLAs Ramesh Jena, Dasharathi Gamango, CS Rajan Ekka, Kadraka Apala Swami, and Ashok Kumar Das. Additionally, former Odisha Pradesh Seva Dal President Arya Kumar Jnanendra has been included in the committee.

Senior Congress leaders such as Navjyoti Patnaik, leader of the Balasore parliamentary constituency, Meenakshi Bahinipati, leader of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Women’s Front, Vishwajit Dash, Bhubaneswar District Congress President, Ranjit Patra, Youth Congress President, Yasir Nawaz, Bhubaneswar parliamentary constituency leader, and Udit Narayan Pradhan, Students’ Congress President, have also been named as members of the organizing committee.

Route and Objective

According to party sources, the Sankalp Padayatra will commence from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and will conclude at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri. The event aims to rally party workers, engage with the public, and reinforce the Congress’s commitment to addressing key issues in Odisha.

Bhakta Charan Das has urged all Congress leaders and workers to actively participate in the Padayatra and contribute to making it a success, underscoring the party’s focus on unity and public outreach ahead of upcoming elections.