Gamangs’ choice for assembly, LS seats ‘delays’ Cong return

Koraput: The return of former chief minister Giridhar Gamang, his wife Hema and son Shishir to the Congress has been reportedly delayed due to demands made by the family.Party insiders said the Gamang family has made a pre-condition for their return — tickets for one assembly seat in Rayagada district and a Lok Sabha constituency. This stipulation has put the Congress high command in a quandary, they said. The Gamangs specifically demanded tickets for the Gunupur assembly seat in Rayagada district, and either Koraput or Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat. The complication arises from the fact that Congress’ Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka retained the Koraput Lok Sabha seat in 2019. “The Gamang family’s request for the Gunupur assembly seat and their preferred Lok Sabha seat has caused a dilemma. With Ulaka’s victory from Koraput constituency, the party is hesitant to disrupt the current arrangement, leading to the delay,” said a senior party functionary. Earlier this month, Shishir had met AICC’s Odisha in-charge A Chellakumar in New Delhi in the presence of Odisha PCC president Sarat Pattanayak and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati and held preliminary discussions about their return to the party and their potential roles. Refusing to divulge the details of the meeting, Shishir said, “We had a very productive discussion with the senior Congress leaders and have expressed our intention to rejoin the party. As a significant number of our supporters from across the state are also willing to join the Congress, we are seeking certain assurances from the party.”Shishir was optimistic about the outcome, saying, “We are hopeful that the party will arrive at a decision on the matter soon. If all goes well, then the rejoining programme will be held in Delhi.”