A day after interacting with grassroot workers from western and southern Odisha, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday held talks with leaders from other regions to discuss strategies to pull the party out of morass in Odisha ahead of the next general elections.
Soon after his arrival at the millennium city of Cuttack, Mr. Gandhi held deliberations with party functionaries and office bearers from 16 organisational districts as part of the exercise to bolster the prospects of Congress in the elections due next year.
The 42-year-old Mr. Gandhi, who is visiting Odisha for the first time after being elevated as the second in command in Congress, first interacted with district-level workers and then with leaders on issues to be addressed to rejuvenate the party. The party has been out of power in the state since 2000.
“Rahulji’s visit and his close interactions with grassroot level leaders will go a long way in strengthening the party,” said Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Niranjan Patnaik.
“Partymen are encouraged following Rahulji’s visit. It will certainly strengthen Congress in Odisha,” said senior party leader Chiranjib Biswal.
