After the 1971 Odisha elections UC took part in the Bishwanath Das ministry in the state.
However, in 1970 Rajya sabha elections the state unit proposed a different candidate to that of the central leadership.
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 with Biju Patnaik, Rabi Ray along with securing support from two former Chief Ministers of Odisha - Harekrushna Mahtab, R.N.Singh Deo (Swatantra Party) & the Samyukta Socialist Party whose state unit merged into the Utkal Congress in 1972 following the SSP's dissolution.
Following that he along with his colleagues Nilamani Routray formed the state based party in the model of DMK.
At the end of 1974 all the constituents of Pragati Legislature party merged with Charan Singh led Bharatiya Lok Dal.