Congress Workers Hit Streets In Odisha Capital Over ‘Undemocratic’ Suspension Of Moquim, Biswal

Bhubaneswar: The rift in Odisha Congress came to the fore again on Friday as hundreds of party workers staged demonstration at Master Canteen here on Friday, demanding immediate revocation of suspension of Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim and former working president Chiranjib Biswal.

They hit the streets after a failed attempt to meet OPCC President Sarat Pattanayak at Congress Bhavan here. “The two senior leaders were suspended in an undemocratic manner and this has hurt scores of workers across Odisha. Such action against the two leaders, who have done a lot for the party, is totally unjustified. All statements made by them were aimed at uniting the party,” said a protestor.

They have threatened to intensify the agitation in the coming day if the party did not issue withdrawal order of their suspension.

Supporters of Moquim and Biswal led by former spokesperson of the party Gobind Bhuyan had earlier told the media that their suspension will affect the party’s prospects in the next elections. He further said that Moquim won the Barabati-Cuttack seat for the party in the 2019 Assembly elections after a gap of 40 years even as Congress was struggling to stay relevant in state politics. Ten Congress corporators won elections to Cuttack Municipal Corporation because of his support, he said.

The party had won Jagatsinghpur municipality elections due to Biswal’s influence in the area, he added.

Senior leader Sabitri Choudhury alleged that the anti-party activities of the two suspended leaders were never discussed in the disciplinary committee and complaining against them to AICC without following the due process was unwarranted.

Denying any split in the party, the OPCC president had said that he had not received any letter or application either from Moquim or Biswal for withdrawal of their suspension.