Former Odisha Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang Quits Congress

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Chief Minister and nine-time MP Giridhar Gamang today announced his resignation from the Congress alleging humiliation by the party which he served for over 43 years.

"I have sent my resignation letter to AICC president Sonia Gandhi. Since the time of Vajpayee Government's fall due to one vote in 1999, I have been humiliated and lost self-respect. Though I voted against the Vajpeyee Government in wake of a whip, the party did not come to my rescue at any point of time," Mr Gamang told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

In his letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the former Odisha Chief Minister said, "With a heavy heart and deep agony, I tender my resignation from the primary membership of the Congress. Please accept my resignation."

Mr Gamang also explained his position in the letter to Mrs Gandhi narrating the situation under which he resigned. Copies of the letter were circulated at the press meet.

"..from 1972 to 2015, long 43 years, I have served in different party posts in the Congress, as an MP, central minister, chief minister. I have never uttered or made any statement against my leaders and Congress party. As a disciplined party member I have never lost the patience nor deviated from the principle for the interest of my political life and interest in the Congress party," he said in the letter to the Congress President

Mr Gamang was elected from Odisha's Koraput Lok Sabha segment eight times in a row since 1972. He was again elected from the same seat in 2004 for the ninth time.

The Congress veteran had also been a Union Minister under the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi for one year and five years each under Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasihma Rao.

However, the 1999 no-confidence motion against the then Vajpayee government became a turning point in his political life, said the veteran Congress leader.

Stating that he has not decided whether to join any other political party, Mr Gamang said, "There is no question of returning to Congress again after resigning from it."

"Why will any political party take me? I have been accused of defeating the Vajpayee government. Therefore, BJP may not accept me. There is no question of joining any regional party," he said.

Mr Gamang said that at present, he was not affiliated to any political party but active in politics. "I will never return to Congress. I have also not decided whether to join any party. I will consider if I get invitation from any party," he said.

Rejecting allegation that he breached party discipline, Mr Gamang said he had never indulged in any anti-party activities.

"I have not even changed my constituency since 1972. Where is the question of changing the party? I am pained to resign from the party," he said.

Replying to a question whether he would float his new party, the prominent tribal leader said, "No. I will have my music party." Mr Gamang is an expert in playing "Changu", a traditional musical instrument used by tribals of Koraput district.