Bhubaneswar, June 4: The Congress high command is yet to accept the resignation of former Odisha chief minister Giridhar Gamang from the primary membership of the party.

Sources said Congress president Sonia Gandhi had called Gamang to Delhi on June 9 or 10 for a discussion. But, suspense continues on whether he would respond to the leadership's call for a meeting.

While Gamang remained incommunicado, his son, Sisir Gamang, confirmed that he and his father would be going to New Delhi.

"It had nothing to do with the Congress high command's request for a meeting. It is just a coincidence that we are going to Delhi on that day. As far as my knowledge goes, my father is not going to meet the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president," Sisir, son of the tribal leader, told The Telegraph.

In New Delhi, AICC general secretary in charge of Odisha affairs B.K. Hariprasad said he was not aware of Gamang being called by the Sonia Gandhi's office.

Party secretary Subhankar Sarkar echoed the same as well.

On May 31, the 72-year-old former chief minister had faxed his resignation to Sonia, accusing the leadership of "humiliating" him.

"I have been blamed over the years for downfall of the Vajpayee government in 1999 in the public eye. But, no one from the party has come forward to explain that I was only following the instruction of the party," Gamang had said.

Moreover, suspense over Gamang's next move continues.

Sources said a group in the BJP has stepped up its effort to bring the senior tribal leader into the party's fold. However, another powerful group is opposing the move. The group opposing Gamang's entry is apprehensive that his induction into the party would strengthen the hands of Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram, who is not on the best of terms with state BJP president K.V. Singh Deo, party sources said.

The BJD leadership is equally keen to adopt Gamang, a nine-time MP from Koraput, known for his integrity and his hold on the tribal people of the region. "Since his wife Hema is in the BJD, there should be no problem if he joins the party," said a senior party leader.

Hema, who had joined the BJD in 2014 and unsuccessfully contested the Lakshmipur Assembly seat on the party ticket, has also indicated that she would be happy if her husband joins the party.