AICC expels former Barabati Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim from Odisha Congress

Former MLA Mohammed Moquim has been expelled from the Indian National Congress (INC) for alleged anti-party activities. With this decision, Moquim has also been removed from the party’s primary membership.

The action was taken following a proposal by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Das, which has received approval from the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

Party sources said Moquim had recently challenged the party leadership and had written a letter to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. He had also raised questions over the leadership of OPCC President Bhakta Das, which the party viewed as indiscipline and anti-party conduct.

The Congress leadership stated that the decision was taken in the interest of maintaining party discipline and organisational unity.

AICC Approves Expulsion Proposal

The expulsion was initiated following a proposal moved by OPCC president Bhakta Das and subsequently approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Party sources confirmed that the decision was taken after assessing Moquim’s recent actions and communications, which were deemed to be in violation of party discipline.

According to Congress leaders, the move reflects the party’s position that organisational decisions and leadership matters must be addressed through internal mechanisms rather than public platforms.

Letter To Sonia Gandhi Triggers Action

Party sources said the immediate trigger for the disciplinary action was a five-page letter written by Moquim to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. In the letter, Moquim reportedly questioned the leadership of OPCC president Bhakta Das and raised broader concerns about the functioning of the state unit.

Further, the letter also had Moquim question the age of the Indian National Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Congress leadership viewed the contents and intent of the letter as indiscipline and anti-party conduct, arguing that it challenged the authority of both state and national leadership and aggravated existing internal tensions.

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OPCC Media Cell Cites “Planned Disruption”

OPCC media cell chief Arabinda Das issued a strong statement defending the decision, asserting that Moquim’s communication was not intended to reform the party.

“If one would read the five-page letter sent by Md Moquim (to the party high command), then they would see it clearly that it was meant to disrupt the party rather than streamline it (as he claimed),” Das said.

“It was clear from the letter that he was furthering the chaos and disorganisation spearheaded by the BJP, and he clearly meant to disrupt the party. He claimed to be a loyal member of the Congress party, but he insulted its leaders, its state and national chiefs. He was simply inviting expulsion and was completely disinterested in staying with the party,” he added.

Senior Leader Questions Timing And Leaks

Senior Congress leader Sarat Rout also questioned the manner in which the letter became public, suggesting that the developments were premeditated.

“He clearly knew that sending such a letter would expel him from the party. How could it be that his letter to Sonia Gandhi somehow reached the media before Delhi? People were already discussing about the letter long before it even reached the party's high command. This was all planned chaos,” Rout said.