Mohammed Moquim slams Odisha Congress leadership in letter to Sonia Gandhi

Senior Congress leader Mohammed Moquim has stirred controversy within the Odisha Congress by openly challenging the leadership of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Das. In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, Moquim expressed deep dissatisfaction, questioning the party’s decision to appoint Das as PCC chief in 2025 despite his three consecutive Lok Sabha election defeats.

Ideological Differences and Past Criticism

Moquim wrote that “Das’ personal ideology is entirely different from ours”, pointing out that during the Jayaprakash movement, Das had openly criticised the Gandhi family. He further termed it “worrying” that Das and his son had extended support to the Koshal movement.

Electoral Setbacks Under Das 

Highlighting recent failures, Moquim noted that under Das’ leadership, the Congress lost the Nuapada by-election by 83,000 votes, even though it falls within Das’ own parliamentary constituency. “If his own constituency does not trust him, it is natural that workers do not either,” Moquim wrote, calling it “impossible” for Das to lead the party in Odisha.

"It is not about timing; it is about emotional involvement and commitment to the Congress party. My family has been associated with Congress for generations. My great-grandfather was a freedom fighter, and both my brother and I have dedicated ourselves to the party. I wrote the letter to Sonia Gandhi because she is our leader, and because of her sacrifice and contribution. It was under her leadership that Congress returned to power after a long time. After ten years of the UPA government, our performance in the next three elections was extremely poor. We could not even present strong opposition leaders. When our seats increased recently, there was hope that people felt the Congress was showing promising signs. But in the next elections across five states, the results were disastrous. We got zero seats in Delhi, which is shocking considering our headquarters are located there. The same scenario repeated in Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, largely due to mismanagement. We were hopeful for Bihar, but that too did not favour us. We have given everything to Congress, yet we continue to suffer these setbacks. Last year, responsibility was given to Bhakta Das, but my letter has nothing to do with that appointment. The real concern is that after repeated defeats in Bihar, Maharashtra and elsewhere, the core issue is our failure to produce strong top-tier leadership. Earlier, leaders like Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi met people directly and understood their struggles. Today, as the opposition, our primary responsibility is to organise and energise the party. Our strength lies in booth workers, ward leaders and panchayat leaders. If we do not meet them, motivate them, or listen to them, nothing will change. For example, when Rahul Gandhi visited Odisha for three days during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, if he had spent time meeting people on the ground, it would have made a huge difference. Instead, he offered greetings and left. That missed opportunity explains why the organisation is not connecting at the grassroots," said Senior Congress leader Mohammed Moquim.

Also Read: Several BJD leaders to join Congress, new Odisha PCC announcement by Diwali: Mohammad Moquim

Questions Over Former PCC Chief Sarat Pattanayak 

Moquim also raised concerns over former PCC president Sarat Pattanayak, who assumed leadership in 2023 despite losing six consecutive Lok Sabha elections. Under Sarat Pattanayak, the Congress registered its lowest-ever vote share of 13% in 2024, and he himself lost his deposit.

Call for Transparency and Youth Leadership

Moquim emphasised the urgent need to revive the Congress in Odisha, urging transparent appointments based on merit, along with the induction of strong youth leadership.

Bhakta Das and Sarat Pattanayak are yet to comment on Moquim’s remarks.