The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has officially announced the constitution of the Political Affairs Committee for the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee.
The decision, approved by the Congress President, was confirmed in a press release issued by K.C. Venugopal, M.P., General Secretary of the AICC, on April 15, 2025.
The newly formed committee, effective immediately, comprises prominent leaders and is poised to steer the party’s strategy in Odisha ahead of upcoming political challenges.
The press release outlined the composition of the 25-member committee, with Ajay Kumar Lallu appointed as the in-charge. The committee includes a mix of seasoned leaders and fresh faces, such as Bhakta Charan Das, Ramchandra Kadam, Saptagiri Ulaka, Niranjan Patnaik, and Jaydev Jena, among others.
Notable members also include Sarat Pattanayak, Prasad Hari Chandan, Srikant Jena, Nagendra Pradhan, and Jagannath Patnaik. The list extends to influential figures like Ms. Sushila Tiriya, A.P. Sethi, Ram Chandra Khuntia, Sarat Raut, Assaf Ali Khan, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Ramesh Jena, C.S. Razeen Ekka, Debashish Patnaik, Santosh Singh Saluja, Md. Moquim, Biswaranjan Mohanty, and Ms. Sasmita Behera.
In addition to the core members, the committee includes two ex-officio members: all AICC Secretaries in charge of Odisha and the heads of all frontal organizations, ensuring comprehensive representation across the party’s structure.
The announcement underscores the Congress party’s commitment to revitalizing its organizational framework in Odisha, a state where it has historically faced challenges in recent elections.
K.C. Venugopal emphasized the immediate implementation of the committee, signaling the party’s intent to accelerate its political activities in the region.
Political analysts view this move as a strategic effort to consolidate the party’s base and address internal dynamics while preparing for future electoral battles in Odisha. The inclusion of diverse leaders from various regions of the state reflects an attempt to balance regional representation and foster unity within the party ranks.
The formation of the Political Affairs Committee comes at a crucial juncture for the Congress in Odisha, as the party seeks to regain its foothold in a state dominated by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
With this new leadership structure, the Congress aims to enhance its grassroots outreach, address local issues, and present a united front to challenge the other parties in the state.
