After securing 14 assembly seats, the Congress is now trying to strengthen its footing in Odisha’s political landscape. The party has begun shortlisting potential candidates for district presidents across the state’s 30 districts. Under the leadership of Bhakta Charan Das, efforts are underway to energise the cadre and woo disenchanted BJD leaders, with the aim of building a stronger, more grounded leadership structure for the state unit.
Congress general secretary in-charge, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal, said in a social media post that the leadership has held one-on-one review meetings with AICC observers, who were deputed to Odisha as part of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, at Indira Bhavan.
He said, "These discussions were based on the comprehensive reports they’ve prepared after extensive field visits along with PCC observers, and discussions with party functionaries and social groups for their respective districts. These reports contain in-depth analyses of the socio-political landscape and ongoing dynamics, which aid in the selection process of DCC Presidents."
With many leaders leaving the BJD, the Congress senses an opportunity to regain lost ground. Yet, the challenge remains daunting, as the party itself lacks a stable and trusted leadership. The BJP too has failed to project a consistent face in the state, leaving disillusioned BJD cadres unsure of where to turn. For the Congress, this churn could open a window to attract defectors and rebuild its organisational base, but only if it can present a credible leadership structure.
Earlier, Bhakta Charan Das was in-charge of the Bihar Congress, where his performance was seen as minimal. The party, in the state, has long played a secondary role to the RJD, limiting its autonomy in the state. Congress decisions often depended on RJD’s approval, leaving little scope for independent strategy or leadership.
Now in Odisha, because of the party's revolving-door leadership, the state Congress has been in constant disarray. Over the past few years, Congress state unit presidents have changed too frequently, leaving the organisation scattered and unable to build a lasting momentum.
Each new leadership team had made promises of revival, but the lack of continuity not only deepened internal distrust but also bred hopelessness. "The current leadership is making high efforts to bring back the Congress in the state. They have been working everyday, even if the Congress doesn't have much cadre in the state," a party insider said.
Party insiders say the Congress is not just fighting an external battle against the ruling BJD and BJP, but also an internal one for survival. A severe fund crunch has crippled its ability to stay active on the ground. Struggling to mobilise cadres and organise events, state leaders have been trying to influence BJD leaders in the hope of engineering crossovers to regain some footing.
At the same time, a section of Congress leaders alleges that the BJP has “managed” a few within the party, weakening it further from the inside. “There is a dual challenge—while the BJD is trying to poach our big names in every district, the BJP is also at work, making sure our dissenting leaders remain divided,” one senior functionary admitted.