The Congress party encountered another setback as Sucharita Mohanty, its Lok Sabha candidate for Puri, dropped out of the race, citing a lack of funds. Mohanty’s departure marks the third instance of a Congress candidate withdrawing just days before voting in the constituency.
In a letter addressed to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Mohanty lamented the financial constraints hindering the party’s campaign efforts in Puri. She expressed regret over the inability to conduct a successful campaign without adequate party funding, thereby returning the INC ticket for the Puri Parliamentary Constituency.
Mohanty, a journalist-turned-politician, accused Odisha Congress in-charge Ajoy Kumar of urging her to finance her campaign independently. Despite her efforts to raise funds through public donation drives and cost-cutting measures, Mohanty found herself unable to meet the campaign’s financial demands.
Expressing loyalty to the Congress, Mohanty emphasised her decision as a last resort due to the inability to secure sufficient funds independently and the party’s lack of support in this regard.
Additionally, Mohanty voiced dissatisfaction with the Congress’ candidate selection process for seven Assembly segments under the Puri Lok Sabha constituency. Despite her requests for changes in some candidates, the party did not address her concerns.
The withdrawal of Mohanty highlights the challenges faced by the Congress in maintaining its candidate roster and campaign momentum. With voting in Puri scheduled for May 25, the party faces heightened pressure to address these setbacks and maintain its electoral presence.
