Former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim Announces New Regional Political Outfit
In a significant political development in Odisha, former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim (61) has officially announced the formation of his new regional political party, the Odisha Janata Congress. The announcement comes exactly three months after his expulsion from the Indian National Congress for publicly questioning the competence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge on grounds of advancing age.
Formal Launch and Registration Process
Moquim revealed that his party is likely to be formally launched on April 8 following a massive rally scheduled in Bhubaneswar. "My party's name will be Odisha Janata Congress, which is likely to be formally launched following a massive rally at Bhubaneswar on April 8," Moquim stated while unveiling the party's flag. He has already applied for the party's registration with the Election Commission of India and is awaiting official approval.
Background of Expulsion and Political Journey
Moquim's relationship with the Congress party has been turbulent over recent years. He was expelled from the party on December 15, 2025, after he openly revolted against the leadership through a letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi. This was not his first disciplinary issue with the party - he had previously been suspended on July 15, 2023, for questioning then Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Pattanayak's leadership, though he was reinstated in January 2024 ahead of simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
The former MLA from Barabati-Cuttack (2019-2024) has faced multiple legal challenges during his political career. His 2019 election was annulled by the Orissa High Court in March 2024 for failing to disclose criminal cases in his nomination affidavit, though the Supreme Court later stayed the order. He was also barred from contesting the 2024 polls due to his conviction in the ORHDC loan irregularities case in September 2022. Earlier, in July 2022, he faced a showcause notice for cross-voting in favor of NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.
Political Strategy and Support Base
Since his expulsion from Congress, Moquim has been actively working to establish his new political entity. Days after his removal from the party, he disclosed plans to float a regional party and has since held multiple meetings with sidelined or inactive politicians to garner support. Moquim claimed that several senior politicians have shown interest in joining his new outfit, though he did not reveal specific names.
The timing of his announcement coincides with a shifting political landscape in Odisha, where the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress recently reached a rare understanding to back independent nominee and urologist Datteswar Hota as their 'common candidate' for the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections.
Party Agenda and Future Plans
When asked about possible political alliances, Moquim avoided specifics, stressing instead that his immediate priority is to strengthen the new party through statewide outreach. "We will raise our voice against women atrocities, liquor, unemployment and corruption," he declared, outlining the core issues his party plans to address.
Moquim's daughter, Sofia Firdous, currently represents the Barabati-Cuttack constituency as a Congress MLA, creating an interesting family dynamic in Odisha politics. The former MLA emphasized that his party would focus on grassroots issues affecting ordinary citizens while positioning itself as a viable alternative to established political forces in the state.
The formation of Odisha Janata Congress represents another chapter in the evolving political narrative of Odisha, where regional aspirations and national party dynamics continue to shape the electoral landscape ahead of crucial state elections.
