Odisha Politics / 'Who is Moquim?' OPCC Chief Bhakta Charan Das Drops Bombshell After Congress Expels Ex-MLA
·7 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
- OPCC chief questioned Moquim’s political standing after expulsion.
- Das said Moquim’s lone MLA tenure was nullified by a court order.
- Congress said internal forums existed to raise grievances.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 16: Hitting back at expelled Congress leader Mohammad Moquim, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das on Tuesday made sharp remarks, questioning Moquim’s political standing and criticising his public statements after being removed from the party.
Responding to Moquim’s assertion that he remains ideologically committed to the Congress despite his expulsion, Das said Moquim had been elected as an MLA only once and that his membership of the Assembly was later cancelled by a court order. He added that Moquim could not even legitimately describe himself as a former legislator.
“Who is Moquim? He has been an MLA only once, and even that was nullified by the court. He cannot even write ‘former MLA’ anywhere,” Das said.
The OPCC chief said party discipline was non-negotiable and that any leader who remained in the Congress was expected to respect the party’s top leadership. If there were grievances, Das said, there were established internal mechanisms to raise them.
“The party has several committees. Moquim himself was a member of the PAC committee. If he had any complaints, he could have raised them there instead of making statements outside,” Das said.
Taking exception to Moquim’s remarks about senior leadership, Das said it was inappropriate for him to comment on or attempt to “advise” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “What does Moquim know about Rahul Gandhi? Is he in a position to guide him?” he asked.
Das asserted that Moquim’s statements were not political in nature and alleged that such comments could only serve the interests of opposition parties.
Also Read: IMD Predicts No Relief from Cold in Odisha for a Week, Daringbadi Shrouded in Dense Fog
Moquim was expelled from the Congress after the All India Congress Committee approved a proposal sent by the OPCC, citing allegations of anti-party activities. After his expulsion, Moquim told reporters that while the party had removed him, he had not moved away from the Congress ideology, describing himself as a full-time social worker who would continue public service.
Responding to Moquim’s assertion that he remains ideologically committed to the Congress despite his expulsion, Das said Moquim had been elected as an MLA only once and that his membership of the Assembly was later cancelled by a court order. He added that Moquim could not even legitimately describe himself as a former legislator.
“Who is Moquim? He has been an MLA only once, and even that was nullified by the court. He cannot even write ‘former MLA’ anywhere,” Das said.
The OPCC chief said party discipline was non-negotiable and that any leader who remained in the Congress was expected to respect the party’s top leadership. If there were grievances, Das said, there were established internal mechanisms to raise them.
“The party has several committees. Moquim himself was a member of the PAC committee. If he had any complaints, he could have raised them there instead of making statements outside,” Das said.
Taking exception to Moquim’s remarks about senior leadership, Das said it was inappropriate for him to comment on or attempt to “advise” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “What does Moquim know about Rahul Gandhi? Is he in a position to guide him?” he asked.
Das asserted that Moquim’s statements were not political in nature and alleged that such comments could only serve the interests of opposition parties.
Also Read: IMD Predicts No Relief from Cold in Odisha for a Week, Daringbadi Shrouded in Dense Fog
Moquim was expelled from the Congress after the All India Congress Committee approved a proposal sent by the OPCC, citing allegations of anti-party activities. After his expulsion, Moquim told reporters that while the party had removed him, he had not moved away from the Congress ideology, describing himself as a full-time social worker who would continue public service.
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