The Congress announced it will contest the upcoming panchayat elections in Odisha independently, rejecting any alliance with the Biju Janata Dal.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das clarified the party’s stand on Tuesday, ending speculation of a tie-up.
Das stated that Congress will fight zilla parishad, panchayat, and municipal elections on its own strength. He emphasised that the decision reflects grassroots strategy and internal sentiment. The move follows discontent within party ranks after speculation of a possible understanding with the BJD.
The BJD also dismissed alliance talk. Senior leader Prasanna Acharya said the party never discussed contesting local polls with Congress and will fight independently in a well-organised manner.
The Congress decision comes after the Rajya Sabha cross-voting episode. Congress had supported BJD candidate Dr Datteswar Hota, but BJP-backed Independent Dilip Ray won due to cross-voting by three Congress MLAs and six BJD MLAs. The fallout strained ties and influenced the Congress leadership to go solo in local polls.
Das, however, left the door open for future adjustments, noting that any alliance for assembly elections would depend on directives from the party high command.
