After the suspension of Barabati-Cuttack MLA Md Moquim and ex-MLA Chiranjib Biswal from the Odisha Congress, speculations are rife in political circles that they might throw in their lots with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) clarified that both leaders have been suspended for their anti-party activities. But it has been discussed that they have been in the BJD link.
During the President election, Moquim instead of casting his vote for the Congress’s Presidential candidate voted for the NDA’s candidate Droupadi Murmu, obeying the BJD’s request. He was also in the bad book of the top leaders after giving statements against them upon the party’s debacle in by-polls.
Similarly, even though Biswal has never supported the BJD openly, he had given anti-party statements at a meeting. It has also been discussed that the state Congress had informed the party high command that he is in the BJD link.
Meanwhile, Moquim clarified that he would fight the election as an independent candidate while Biswal said he would reveal his stand tomorrow.
“If, due to any reason, the party doesn’t give me a ticket, I will contest the election as an independent candidate with the support of my followers,” said Moquim.
“I hope the party chief’s conspiracy against me would go in vain,” he added.
When asked, Congress leader Suresh Routray said, “I will request the high command to withdraw the suspension of the two leaders who have contributed a lot to the party.”
The supporters of the two suspended leaders staged protests, targeting the OPCC chief. While Moquim supporters burnt the effigy of OPCC chief Sarat Pattanayak, Biswal supporters organised a press meet to spew venom at Pattanayak.
“I support the decision of the AICC. There are many who are indulged in anti-party activities. I hope they should also be treated similarly,” said senior Congress leader Sarat Rout.
In his reaction, OPCC chief Pattanayak said, “The suspensions will have little impact on the party.”
Notably, the party had suspended Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Srikant Jena ahead of the 2014 and 2019 elections. Now while the general election is less than a year away, it has suspended the two leaders.
It is to be seen what would be its impact on the grand old party.