Violence broke out at the Congress Bhavan, the state Congress headquarters here on Thursday, as two groups of party workers clashed in the presence of senior leaders including Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik.

Trouble erupted ahead of the party’s general council meeting when one group accused party’s other backward caste (OBC) cell president Bishnu Charan Barik of indulging in anti-party activities and supporting the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Both the groups came to blows. They even tore down posters of Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The Congress workers also ransacked furniture of the building.

Accusing Barik and his family members of having worked for the BJD in th election to Jagatsinghpur Assembly constituency that led to the defeat of Congress candidate, Chiranjeev Biswal, Jena demanded that action must be taken against Barik.

“We request the PCC president to remove Barik from the party immediately,” said a party worker.

The opponents of Barik vehemently opposed his participation in the general council meeting.

Barik, on the other hand, claimed that he was a loyal worker of the party and had never indulged in anti-party activities. He said that he was being opposed by a group at the behest of Chiranjeev Biswal. “I have been with the Congress since 1978. I tried to save me when a group of Congress workers opposed to me tried to attack me. The bigger question is who hatched the conspiracy to shun me. I am ready for any kind of probe,” said Barik.

On the issue of alleged links with the BJD, Barik said, “I have no political connection with the BJD MLA. He used to come to our house as the friend of my younger brother.”

Meanwhile, PCC president Niranjan Patnaik has assured action against indiscipline. “We will conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegation levelled against OBC cell president. If he is found to have been involved in any such activities that go against the party’s interest, action will definitely be taken against him. If anyone has any issues, they should bring their resentment to the AICC and PCC. Indiscipline in any form will be strictly dealt with,” Patnaik said.