Utkal Congress

Utkal Congress was a political party in the Indian state of Odisha. It was formed in 1969 when Biju Patnaik left Indian National Congress. After the 1971 Odisha elections UC took part in the Biswanath Das ministry in the state. In 1974 Utkal Congress merged into Bharatiya Lok Dal.

Background

Odisha was a stronghold of Congress in immediate post independence era. However factionalism was rife. A group of Congress dissidents led by Harekrushna Mahatab split in 1967 to form Jana Congress. In 1967 general election Most of the leadership of Congress lost. In 1969 Congress split at national level forming Congress(O) and Congress(R). Biju Patnaik stayed with Congress(R). However, in 1970 Rajya sabha elections the state unit proposed a different candidate to that of the central leadership. However, in the election both candidates lost. This caused Biju Patnaik led group to sever all the ties from the central leadership. Initially named as Utkal Pradesh Congress, the group ultimately chose Utkal Congress as their name.[1]

Electoral history

Biju Patnaik resigned from Congress(R) on 6 April 1970. Following that he along with his colleagues Nilamani Routray formed the state based party in the model of DMK. This fledgling party Fought its first election soon after in 1971 General elections. It secured 24% votes and 32 seats.[2] It formed a coalition with Swatantra Party and formed a government under leadership Biswanath Das. This government did not last for long and few of the Utkal Congress members wanted to go back to Congress(I)(Congress(R) had named itself Congress (I) at this point). So a Congress(I) government under the leadership of Nandini Satpathy formed. However this government did not last long either. There was an election in 1974 to Odisha legislature. Utkal Congress formed a coalition with Swatatantra party and a group of Congress (I) members led by Harekrushna Mahtab called Pragati Lagislature party. In the election Utkal Congress slightly increased it tally to 35 seats. However Congress won the majority. At the end of 1974 all the constituents of Pragati Lagislature party merged with Charan Singh led Bharatiya Lok Dal.[3]

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References
  1. Grover, V. (1997). Indian Political System: Trends and Challenges. Indian Political System: Trends and Challenges. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 448. ISBN 978-81-7100-883-4. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  2. Grover, V. (1997). Indian Political System: Trends and Challenges. Indian Political System: Trends and Challenges. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 453. ISBN 978-81-7100-883-4. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  3. Das & Dr. C. P Nanda, P.M.N. Harekrushna Mahtab. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. p. 121. ISBN 978-81-230-2325-0. Retrieved 1 July 2019.

See also
  • Indian National Congress breakaway parties


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