Ghu Udayagiri: Pratap Pradhan, a youth leader who ran as an independent candidate in the last assembly elections, has rejoined the Congress. Pratap was welcomed by state PCC president Niranjan Patnaik with flowers. Pratap had previously held various positions in the Congress, but withdrew for a few days before the 2014 general election. He expressed confidence in the Congress and said it would strengthen the party’s position in Kandhamal district. Pratap, a highly educated tribal youth social worker from Bareguda village in Tikabali block, has a good community connection in the local area as he has been leading the development work at various times in the locality.