Bhubaneswar, Sept. 12: Odisha Congress committee president Prasad Harichandan today exuded confidence about taking on the Naveen Patnaik government and sorting out intra-party problems.

Buoyed by the successful visit of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Harichandan targeted the Odisha chief minister and warned government officials against acting in a partisan manner in the coming panchayat elections. "If they act in a partisan manner, they will face serious consequences. The Congress will not tolerate this," he said.

Sources said Harichandan had got a shot in the arm with Rahul, during his interaction with reporters yesterday, observing that the Pradesh Congress Committee president and the Congress legislature party would work in tandem. He also warned partymen against creating unnecessary differences.

Last July, 12 MLAs had flown to Delhi without intimating Harichandan and leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, causing a stir in the party circles. The MLAs had gone to Delhi just a week after Harichandan and Mishra had met Rahul. Harichandan had been keeping a low profile since then.

Harichandan today sought to dismiss the Delhi visit of the MLAs and said: "Anyone can go and meet the high command. There is no problem in this. But if the visit affects the party, it will be viewed seriously."

"Though all have the freedom of expression, we work within party discipline. Rahul ji has asked all of us to work unitedly," he said.

On being asked whether Rahul's backing will allow him to function freely, Harichandan said: "I am an ordinary worker of the party. I will continue to strengthen it."

Terming Rahul's visit as highly successful, he said: "When Rahul found time to visit Sishu Bhavan to express his solidarity with the victims' families, how did Naveen not find the time to visit the hospital?"

He also came down heavily on Naveen for his failure to take up the farmers' issues. "Rahul went to Bargarh to know about the farmers' plight. But, the government remains silent on the issue."

The Congress leader also criticised the government for its failure to resolve the power shortage in the state. He said his party would take up all these issues keeping Rahul's Bhubaneswar declaration in mind. The party will also take up the cause of the tribal people.

Sources in the Congress said Rahul's visit had strengthened the hands of Harichandan and he would be able to assert his authority in the party. "The visit has helped him a lot," a party source said.