Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, June 7: After a six-month long wait, the Congress leadership today named senior party leader Niranjan Patnaik as the Pradesh Congress Committee President. He replaces former Union minister K.P. Singh Deo.

The faction-ridden Congress party in the state had authorised Congress president Sonia Gandhi to select Singh Deo's successor as several leaders had joined the race for the top slot.

Those in the running were Niranjan Patnaik, two of its outgoing working presidents Chandrasekhar Sahoo and Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra.

The announcement coincided with the visit of in-charge of the party’s affairs, Jagdish Tytler, to the state. It appears that the leadership had deputed him to be in the capital to ensure smooth transition of power in the organisation.

Tytler said: “ I think he is the best choice. The Congress high command spoke to every body before appointing him. Other leaders are also good. But, the leadership has decided to give Patnaik a chance to lead the party.'

Sixty-eight-year-old Patnaik, who had been a minister several times in the state, said: “I will spare no efforts to strengthen the organisation and will involve the grassroots level workers to rejuvenate the party apparatus.'

'I will go to people and find out the reasons for being rejected by the electorate for three successive terms and will take steps to regain the confidence of people,' Patnaik said.

The outgoing president, Singh Deo, expressed happiness that he had “been relieved of his duty.”

With successive debacles in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls since 2000, the Congress party had never been able to put its acts together.

Following the organisational polls in August 2010, the state leaders had made a beeline outside the party headquarters in New Delhi staking their claim for the party leadership.

The new PCC president, who begun his political career as a student leader, was the president of the Keonjhar municipality.

He was first elected to Orissa Assembly from Ramachandrapur assembly constituency in 1980. Later, he was elected from the seat in 1985, 1995 and 2004.

He was first inducted as minister in the J.B. Patnaik cabinet in 1980. During his political career, he had held several important portfolios like irrigation, power, revenue and industries.

Subhashish Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, June 7: After six-month long wait, the Congress leadership today named senior party leader Niranjan Patnaik as the Pradesh Congress Committee President. He replaces former Union Minister K P Singh Deo.

Faction-ridden Congress party in the state had authorised the Congress President to select Singh Deo's successor as several leaders had joined the race for the top slot. Those in the running were: Niranjan Patnaik, two of its outgoing working presidents Chandrasekhar Sahoo and Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra.

The announcement coincided with the visit of in-charge of the party’s affairs Jagdish Tytler to the State. It appears that the leadership had deputed him to be in the Capital to ensure smooth transition of power in the organisation.

Tytler said, “ I think he is the best choice. The Congress high command spoke to every body before appointing him. Other leaders are also good. But, the leadership has decided to give Patnaik a chance to lead the party.'

Sixty eight year old Patnaik, who had been a Minister several times in the state, said,' I will spare no efforts to strengthen the organisation and will involve the grassroots level workers to rejuvenate the party apparatus.'

'I will go to people and find out the reasons for being rejected by the electorate for three successive terms and will take steps to regain the confidence of people,' Patnaik said.

The outgoing president Singh Deo expressed the happiness that he had 'been relieved of his duty.'

Successive debacles in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls since 2000, the Congress party had never been able to put its acts together. Following the organisational polls in August 2010, the state leaders had made a beeline outside the party headquarters in New Delhi staking their claim for the party leadership.

The new PCC president, who begun his political career as a student leader, was the president of the Keonjhar Municipality.

He was first elected to Orissa assembly from Ramachandrapur assembly constituency in 1980. Later, he was elected from the seat in 1985, 1995 and 2004. He was first inducted as minister in the JB Patnaik cabinet in 1980. During his political career, he had held several important portfolios like irrigation, powr, revenue and industries (EOM)