Odisha Lok Sabha election 2024: Congress - Past performance, key issues, challenges and more

Odisha Lok Sabha Elections 2024- (Photo-PTI) Voting in Odisha

The Indian National Congress was once a force to be reckoned with in Odisha but has been out of power in the state for more than two decades. In fact, the Congress managed to win only 1 seat in the 2019 General Elections.

The party hopes to reverse its fortunes in the next General Elections in Odisha when the state votes in four phases on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1.

Odisha state Congress leaders are very hopeful of garnering victory in the elections. But the performance of the party in the last few elections—both at the state and national levels—has been dismal. In the 2009 elections, the Congress won 27 assembly and six Lok Sabha seats. In the 2014 elections, the Congress couldn’t win a single Lok Sabha seat, and its share of seats in the assembly fell to 16. The downfall continued and in 2019, the Indian National Congress won 1 Lok Sabha and 9 state assembly seats.

The Congress hopes that the anti-incumbency spirit will help it win this time around. Added to this is the fact that, once upon a time, the Indian National Congress had an almost uninterrupted reign over the state. The Congress is also seeking to project itself as a viable choice, against the ruling BJD and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The party election manifesto for the State Elections, to be held concurrently with the Lok Sabha elections, promises a slew of welfare measures.

But factionalism, infighting and a lack of financial resources are major impediments to the Congress’ hopes.

Here is a list of candidates announced by the Congress: Bargarh – Sanjay Bhoi, Sundargarh – Janardan Dehury, Bolangir- Manoj Mishra, Kalahandi – Draupadi Majhi, Nabarangpur – Bhujabal Majhi,  Kandhamal- Amir Chand Nayak, Berhampur- Rashmi Ranjan Patnaik, Koraput- Saptagiri Ulaka