Cong rebels to hold stir, seek ouster of party in-charge, prez

Ranchi: Dissident workers of the state Congress on Sunday announced to stage a demonstration late this month in Ranchi and later in Delhi post Karnataka election to press for the removal of Jharkhand affairs in-charge Avinash Pande and state party president Rajesh Thakur, accusing the duo of weakening the morale of workers and the party at large, which could prove detrimental ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha and assembly polls.
Addressing a press conference in Ranchi, Alok Dubey, along with other dissenters namely Lal Kishorenath Shahdeo, Rajesh Gupta and Ramesh Oraon, said it is high time that the party high command takes the affairs of the state unit seriously to counter BJP in next year’s polls.
Referring to a statement of Pande recently, Dubey said, “He (Pande) recently told publicly that functioning of ministers in state government from Congress quota is not up to the mark and some may be removed soon.
Later, he retracted from his statement. Such irresponsible statement puts everyone in quandary.”
They said that due to high handedness of the duo, there is rising infighting within the party. Shahdeo said, “Genuine and committed workers are deliberately being side lined today.” Gupta announced that they have decided to stage a demonstration to press for their removal. “Later this month, we have decided to hold stir at Bapu Vatika in Morabadi, dates of which will be announced soon. After that, we will stage the protest outside AICC president’s house in Delhi after Karnataka polls,” he said.