New Delhi, June 25: In fresh outbreak of factionalism in Congress in Orissa, over 45 dissidents from the state today met party president Sonia Gandhi and demanded the ouster of PCC president Sarat Patnaik saying the present leadership has "failed" to take on the ruling BJD-BJP combine. During the 30-minute meeting, the dissidents, including MLAs, former ministers and functionaries, contended the change in leadership was necessary to enable the party successfully cross swords with the ruling coaltion.

"Soniaji's response was positive. She gave a patient hearing when we apprised her of the political situation in the state and promised to take a decision on the matter", said a senior dissident leader who did not wish to be quoted.

He said AICC general secretary Kamal Nath, who is in charge of Orissa, was present when the delegation stressed the need for a "dynamic and efficient" leader for PCC to face the coming municipal elections and the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Sarat Patnaik, a former MP, had replaced veteran Congress leader and former chief minister J B Patnaik as PCC chief one-and-a-half years ago and his selection by the high command had come as a surprise at that time.

A young leader from western Orissa, Patnaik, the pro-changers claim, has "failed" to inspire party workers and supporters. Young blood has not been able to deliver the goods, another party leader said.

The delegation included OPCC vice-presidents Gurupad Nanda, Jaidev Jena, Gajadhar Majhi, general-secretaries Amar Pradhan and Chiranjiv Biswal and former state ministers Sarat Raut and Jugal Kishore Patnaik.

Bureau Report