New Delhi : As the general election and the upcoming state’s Assembly election draw near, the Congress party’s Odisha unit is gearing up to launch the ‘Ghar Ghar Congress’ house visit program on September 15th, announced Sarat Pattnaik, the President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), on Tuesday.
Under the ambit of the ‘Ghar Ghar Congress’ initiative, Congress leaders and activists will embark on a mission to visit each household in the state, conveying the party’s message. Sarat Pattnaik emphasized that the house visits will shed light on the negligence of the Odisha government towards marginalized communities like OBC, SC, and ST, as well as the alleged exploitation of the state by leaders of BJP and BJD.
In a parallel development, prominent Muslim leader Md Shah Nawaj officially joined the Congress on Tuesday. The event witnessed the presence of leaders from the Minority department such as K Raju, along with the President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, Sarat Pattnaik.
Speaking to ANI, Shah Nawaj, who is an advocate at the Odisha High Court, explained his decision to return to Congress after a hiatus of four years. He attributed the shifts in allegiance to the impactful programs introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) post-2014, which prompted individuals to reconsider their affiliations.
He elaborated, “Certain central programs introduced after 2014 were so compelling that they swayed people’s loyalties. These initiatives were driven by necessity. Consequently, Congress leaders dispersed, some joining BJP, others aligning with BJD.”
Expressing his concerns about the BJP, Shah Nawaj criticized their stance on secularism, asserting that it appears to be lacking. He also voiced concerns about the governance, likening the situation to a state of Governor’s rule.
Regarding his return to the Congress fold, Shah Nawaj highlighted the party’s commitment to secularism and drew inspiration from leaders like Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, particularly citing their ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. He also mentioned the suppression of dissent in Parliament and the motivation it provided for his return to Congress.
Shah Nawaj, a notable Muslim figure from Cuttack, had previously held the position of Odisha Chief in the Minority Department of Congress. After a brief stint with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) four years ago, he expressed disillusionment with both BJD and BJP, citing a perceived lack of efforts for the welfare of Muslims.
