The Odisha Congress is witnessing intensified internal conflict following the party’s massive defeat in the Nuapada by-election. Former MLA and AICC member Mohammed Moquim has written to the Odisha Congress Disciplinary Committee, alleging that PCC President Bhakta Charan Das has made false and politically motivated accusations against him.
Moquim’s letter, dated November 17 and addressed to Disciplinary Committee Chairperson and former MLA Sujit Kumar Padhi, has triggered extensive discussions within the party.
According to Moquim, instead of accepting moral responsibility for the Congress’ heavy defeat and the BJP’s sweeping victory in Nuapada, PCC President Bhakta Das resorted to levelling allegations against him through the media. Moquim attached a newspaper report (dated 17.11.2025) and stated that Bhakta Das’ accusations are “completely false, fabricated, and politically driven.”
He added that, as a disciplined member of the party, he has never acted against Congress interests. Moquim further wrote that no PCC President in Odisha’s political history has ever accused a party leader of anti-party activities publicly through the media—calling this an “unprecedented incident.”
Labeling the allegations as “baseless and harmful to the party,” Moquim urged the Disciplinary Committee to take action in accordance with party rules. A copy of the letter has also been sent to AICC Odisha in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu.
In the Nuapada by-election, the BJP candidate won by a large margin, while the Congress candidate suffered a major defeat. PCC President Bhakta Das blamed “internal saboteurs” for the loss.
The controversy has attracted reactions from several senior leaders. Veteran leader Amar Pradhan stated that some party leaders indeed acted as saboteurs in Nuapada. Meanwhile, former PCC President Jaydev Jena said he would speak with both Moquim and Bhakta Das to resolve the issue.
The episode has further aggravated the growing discontent within the Odisha Congress, signaling deeper internal challenges for the party.
