The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has expelled former Odisha MLA Mohammed Moquim from the party’s primary membership for alleged anti-party activities.
The decision follows Moquim’s recent letter to senior leader Sonia Gandhi, in which he criticised the state and national leadership, highlighting repeated electoral defeats and calling for reforms.
The expulsion was based on a proposal by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das, which received swift approval from the AICC. OPCC media cell chief Arabinda Das defended the action, stating that publicly challenging party leadership and leaking the letter to the media constituted indiscipline. “Criticising the central and state leadership while being in the party is not acceptable,” he said, adding that the move was expected and would apply to any leader engaging in similar conduct.
Moquim, the former MLA from Barabati-Cuttack and father of current Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, reacted defiantly to his expulsion. Speaking to the media, he expressed no regrets, saying, “I am delighted, no regrets. Congress has expelled me from primary membership, but no one can distance me from the Congress ideology.” He emphasised that he wrote the letter inspired by Rahul Gandhi’s slogan “Daro Mat” (Don’t Be Afraid), speaking truths that others hesitated to voice.
In his letter to Sonia Gandhi, Moquim had pointed to the party’s six consecutive assembly election losses in Odisha and recent national setbacks. He questioned the appointment of leaders like Bhakta Charan Das, who had lost multiple elections, and raised concerns about the growing disconnect between the high command and grassroots workers. He also suggested shifting responsibilities from President Mallikarjun Kharge due to age and urged a more active role for younger leaders like Priyanka Gandhi.
Moquim vowed to continue his political journey, stating he would work 24 hours for society and consult supporters before deciding next steps. “Politics is a platform; there is no pause in it,” he added, while clarifying that his daughter Sofia would make her own decisions regarding the party.
Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra called for reconsideration of the decision, noting Moquim’s strength in Cuttack and potential impact on the party’s base there. Former OPCC President Niranjan Patnaik acknowledged internal dissatisfaction, saying Moquim had lingering grievances toward the Congress alongside his loyalty.
