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Congress Expels Ex-Odisha MLA Moquim Amid Anti-Party Activity Row

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee has expelled former MLA Mohammed Moquim from the party. This action comes after Moquim wrote a strongly worded letter to Sonia Gandhi criticizing the state and central leadership. In his letter, he blamed OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das for the party's repeated electoral defeats in the state. The expulsion highlights internal tensions within the Congress party in Odisha.

Key Points: Congress Expels Ex-Odisha MLA Moquim After Sonia Gandhi Letter

  • OPCC expels senior leader Mohammed Moquim for alleged anti-party activities
  • Moquim had written a critical letter to Sonia Gandhi targeting Kharge and Rahul Gandhi
  • His letter blamed state chief Bhakta Charan Das for Congress's electoral losses in Odisha
  • Moquim alleged a growing disconnect between grassroots workers and party leadership
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Cong expels ex-Odisha MLA Moquim who had complained to Sonia Gandhi

Former MLA Mohammed Moquim expelled by Odisha Congress over anti-party activities, following his critical letter to Sonia Gandhi targeting state and central leadership.

"This is for the information of all concerned that AICC has approved the proposal for the expulsion of Sri Md. Moquim from the primary membership of the party, due to anti-party activities. - OPCC Notice"

Bhubaneswar, Dec 15

In a significant development, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has expelled former MLA and senior leader Mohammed Moquim from the primary membership of the party over involvement in 'anti-party activities'.

"This is for the information of all concerned that AICC has approved the proposal for the expulsion of Sri Md. Moquim from the primary membership of the party, due to anti-party activities," reads a notice issued on December 13 with the signature of OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das.

It is pertinent here to mention that Moquim, father of sitting Cuttack-Barabati MLA Sofia Firdous, has recently stirred a debate in the party when he targeted the All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and the OPCC president Das in a letter written to Sonia Gandhi.

The former MLA, in his letter written on December 8, stated that the party faced six consecutive losses in Odisha and three major defeats at the national level, which is alarming, heartbreaking, and unbearable for loyal workers like him. He targeted the present OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das, pointing out his dismal electoral performance and ideological differences with the Congress party.

Moquim noted that Das, who became OPCC president in 2025, has suffered three consecutive electoral defeats and has been aligned with a political ideology traditionally at odds with the Congress.

He further highlighted Das's past criticisms of the Gandhi family during the JP movement era. Moquim also alleged that the OPCC president and his son's open support for a separate "Kosal State" has further created deep unrest among party workers in the state.

Targeting the central leadership's choice of leadership in the states, he alleged that a series of wrong decisions, misguided leadership choices, and the continued concentration of responsibility in the wrong hands have weakened the party from within.

Alleging a growing distance between grassroots-level workers and the party leadership, Moquim stated that he failed to meet Rahul Gandhi even after waiting for almost three years.

Moquim's letter has created a stir in the party with senior leaders criticising him for raising questions on party leadership in open. The OPCC president, Das, without taking the name of Moquim, had earlier stated that those who are in contact with the BJP should leave Congress.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Writing a letter directly to Sonia Gandhi and publicly criticising Kharge ji and Rahul ji was not the right way. There are internal forums for such discussions. Discipline is important for any party's survival, especially when facing tough elections in Odisha.
R
Rahul R
Waiting for 3 years to meet your own party's top leader? This says a lot about the accessibility issue. Moquim may have broken protocol, but his frustration is understandable. The high command needs to listen to ground workers, not just yes-men.
A
Ashwin V
The OPCC president himself has a controversial past, criticising the Gandhi family during JP movement? And now supporting Kosal state? No wonder Congress is weak in Odisha. Moquim pointed out the elephant in the room. Truth hurts.
M
Michael C
From an outside perspective, this looks like a classic case of an organization silencing internal criticism. Healthy parties need internal debate, especially after repeated electoral losses. Expulsion seems like a harsh overreaction.
N
Nisha Z
His daughter is still an MLA for Congress, right? So the family is still with the party. This expulsion will only create more bad blood. Could have just issued a show-cause notice or warning. Now it becomes a prestige issue for both sides.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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