Bhakta Charan Das assumes the role of OPCC president, succeeding Sarat Pattanayak
OdishaPlus Bureau
In a major change within the organization, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed senior leader Bhakta Charan Das as the new President of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), effective immediately. This change comes at a key time as the party aims to strengthen its presence in the state ahead of upcoming elections.
Bhakta Charan Das, an experienced member of the Congress party, takes over from former OPCC President Sarat Pattanayak, who served in the role for several years. This appointment indicates a move towards refreshing the party’s leadership in Odisha, where Congress has faced tough challenges recently, with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leading the political scene and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) becoming a strong competitor.
“I promise to work with both young and experienced members of the party to enhance Congress’s visibility across the country. My goal is to restore Congress to a prominent position. I am hopeful that all party members will support my vision. I have taken on many responsibilities, which I believe has built public trust in me. With my mother’s blessings, gaining the public’s trust remains my top priority,” Das stated.
Bhakta Charan Das is well-known in Odisha’s politics. He has been a key leader in the state for many years, serving multiple terms as a Member of Parliament for the Kalahandi constituency. Throughout his career, Das has strongly supported tribal communities, farmers, and underprivileged groups, bringing in important funding and projects for the Kalahandi and Nuapada districts from 2009 to 2014.
His recent appointment followed his role as the head of the party’s campaign committee in Odisha. However, after the Congress party’s disappointing results in the latest elections, Das accepted moral responsibility and stepped down from his position on June 11, 2024. Even with this challenge, his new role as OPCC President shows that the party still believes in his leadership and political skills.
Das faces a tough job of revitalizing a party that has dealt with internal conflicts and decreasing support in the state. The challenge is considerable as the state’s political landscape changes, and Congress aims to establish itself as a strong alternative to both the BJD and BJP. Kharge’s choice to appoint Das is viewed as part of a larger plan to boost the party’s presence in the area. Odisha has traditionally been a stronghold for the BJD, and Congress has seen a steady drop in its popularity. The party has found it hard to compete against the well-liked Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, and the rising power of the BJP in the state.
