Bhubaneswar: A day after Mohammed Moquim asserted his unwavering commitment to Congress ideology despite his expulsion from the party, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das on Tuesday launched a strong counterattack, dismissing his credentials and condemning his outspoken criticism.
Das pointed out that Moquim had won a legislative seat only once, and that term was subsequently invalidated by a court ruling. “Who exactly is Moquim? He served as an MLA just once, and a court later voided that entirely. He isn’t even entitled to call himself a ‘former MLA’,” he remarked.
The OPPC chief questioned the intent behind making the letter, which Moquim had written to Sonia Gandhi, public. “It showed that he was not keen to continue with the party. We can do little when someone has made up his mind to quit the party,” he noted.
He further stated that internal forums exist within the party for addressing any concerns.”The party maintains multiple committees for such matters. Moquim himself served on the PAC committee. If he had any issue, he should have voiced them internally rather than airing them publicly,” he said, emphasising on strict adherence to party discipline which requires all members to show respect for the central leadership.
Objecting strongly to Moquim’s comments regarding top leaders, Das argued it was improper for him to criticise or offer “guidance” to Rahul Gandhi. “What does he know about Rahul Gandhi? Rahul Gandhi walked across the country and brought about an awakening in the minds of the people. Was that not hard work? Will he guide the likes of Rahul Gandhi by writing a letter? This is the work of the opposition… If someone cannot see the hard work and sacrifices of their leader, what can we tell them?…” he said.
The OPPC chief added that Moquim’s remarks lacked genuine political intent and suggested those could only benefit rival parties.
Following his expulsion, Moquim said that he had followed Rahul Gandhi who always says ‘daro matt’ to speak the truth. “I had taken the right step after due deliberation. I had shared the thoughts with Sonia ji through the letter, the truth in the party and how to reform the party, but was instead expelled,” he said.
The former MLA stated that he expressed his thoughts to Sonia Gandhi through a letter since he was unable to communicate with the high command.
