Ink thrown at Odisha Congress President Sarat Pattanayak

Bhubaneswar, June 21: In a startling incident at Congress Bhawan on Friday, ink was thrown at Sarat Pattanayak, President of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC). Reports indicate that a group of youths entered his chamber while he was working and threw ink at him before quickly fleeing the scene. Following the incident, senior Congress leaders convened at Congress Bhawan to discuss the matter with Pattanayak, although the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

There are suggestions that dissatisfied Congress workers may have targeted Pattanayak due to alleged irregularities in ticket distribution during the recent General Elections for Assembly and Lok Sabha seats.

Addressing the media after the incident, Pattanayak expressed resilience, stating his long tenure in politics has acquainted him with such challenges. He vowed to continue addressing pertinent issues, including the NEET paper leak, despite the incident. He also recounted previous instances of hostility towards him, including egg-throwing and stone-pelting, attributing such acts to envy over Congress's progress in Odisha.

Pattanayak affirmed that despite setbacks, the Congress will persist with its protests against the NEET paper leak, advocating for the welfare of students affected nationwide.