New Delhi, May 16: Congress high command today threw cold water on the expectations of party dissidents in Orissa by ruling out any change in PCC president Sharat Patnaik and CLP leader Ramakant Mishra. "There is no question or possibility of any change in the PCC president and CLP leader. Neither any discussion is there on the issue nor any controversy," party general secretary Kamal Nath told reporters.
Nath made the announcement after holding meetings with senior party leaders from the state during which he claimed that no one raised the demand for any change in Orissa and only gave suggestions about strengthening the party at the block and district level. Patnaik, Mishra and AICC secretary Chandan Bagchi were present during Kamal Nath's interaction with the media.
Asked about reports that four breakaway BJD MPs were contemplating to join the Congress as BJP did not heed to their pleas against Chief Minister Navin Patnaik, Nath said, "Whatever working arrangement required to be done for Orissa, we will do. But there is nothing ongoing." To a specific query whether there have been any talks with the MPs, Kamal Nath said that no talks have been held on any strategy with them. "Since I am also an MP, we run into each other at times in Parliament." Bureau Report