Bhubaneswar: Mohammed Moquim, who was recently expelled from the Congress for alleged anti-party activities, has revealed plans to form a new regional political party in Odisha.
Speaking to a local channel, the former Barabati-Cuttack MLA said that the formal groundwork would begin on January 12, coinciding with National Youth Day, with the party’s official launch expected in the last week of March.
Moquim further revealed that the new outfit will prioritise young leadership, especially from the state’s coastal districts, and focus on Odisha-specific issues to offer a distinct alternative to the dominant Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress.
He claimed that leaders across party lines, including disgruntled elements from the BJD and Congress, are keen to join forces while discussions are also ongoing with groups like young doctors. “The party will be unique, addressing a political vacuum in Odisha and challenging the traditional dominance of the big three,” Moquim said, emphasising youth empowerment and local concerns.
Though the name of the party is yet to be decided, it will retain some association with the Congress legacy, with ongoing consultations, including inputs from astrologers, to finalise it, he added.
Moquim was expelled from Congress on December 15, 2025, after he openly criticised the party leadership in a letter to Sonia Gandhi.
Addressing questions about his daughter, sitting Congress MLA Sofia Firdous from Barabati-Cuttack, Moquim retierated that she will independently decide her political future. “I have not discussed anything with her; she will chart her own course,” he clarified.
Political observers noted that the new party could reshape dynamics in the state, particularly in coastal areas, by attracting dissatisfied leaders and youth groups seeking fresh representation.
