The Indian National Congress on Monday expelled its former legislator from Odisha, Mohammed Moquim, from the party's primary membership. The action was taken by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) following a proposal from the state unit, citing his engagement in anti-party activities.
The Expulsion and Immediate Fallout
The formal announcement was made by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das. In an official statement, he declared that the AICC had approved the expulsion of Moquim. This move, while widely expected, has now sparked intense speculation about the political future of the former Barabati-Cuttack MLA.
Political circles in Bhubaneswar are abuzz with rumours that Moquim might either join another political party or even launch a new political outfit with the backing of some disgruntled leaders. The expelled leader, however, has kept his plans under wraps for the moment.
Moquim's Defence and Future Plans
Reacting to his expulsion, Mohammed Moquim expressed surprise and stated that he had only sought internal reforms within the party. He insisted that the core ideology of the Congress continues to inspire him, despite the disciplinary action.
"I reached out to the party high command, seeking reforms. I never expected expulsion," Moquim said. "They may have expelled me from the party, but they cannot distance me from the Congress ideology, which still lives within me. I will continue in politics and announce my future course soon."
He defended his decision to write the critical letter, stating he had no regrets. "Somebody had to bell the cat. I took the plunge and have no regrets about the consequences. I succeeded in raising an alarm," he asserted. Moquim also expressed hope that the action against him would not affect the party position of his daughter, Sofia Firdous, who is the current Congress MLA from Barabati-Cuttack.
The Letter That Triggered the Crisis
The expulsion comes exactly a week after Moquim sent a sharply worded letter to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on December 8. In the letter, he launched a direct attack on the party's top leadership.
His criticisms included:
- Rahul Gandhi's inaccessibility to party workers.
- The advanced age of current party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
- Alleging a rudderless leadership under OPCC chief Bhakta Charan Das in Odisha.
Mixed Reactions Within the Congress
The party's official response, articulated by OPCC media cell chairman Arabinda Das, was dismissive of Moquim's motives. He claimed the letter was "not intended to reform the party, but rather to create disturbance in the organisation."
However, not everyone within the state Congress agreed with the expulsion. Veteran leader and former OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik termed the decision as hasty. "Congress needs people like Moquim babu, whose contributions to the party should not be ignored. He has kept the party ideology afloat within him," Patnaik remarked, offering a rare note of dissent against the action.
The expulsion of a senior leader like Moquim highlights the ongoing internal challenges and debates over leadership and direction within the Congress party in Odisha, setting the stage for potential realignments in the state's political landscape.
