Bhubaneswar: While Congress leaders in Odisha are in disarray over cross-voting in the presidential election, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday welcomed the decision of Cuttack-Barabati MLA Mohammed Moqium to vote for NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu, a tribal leader from Mayurbhanj district, instead of the joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.
Speaking to the media after casting his vote, Moquim said, “It is my personal decision, and I listened to my heart which guided me to do something for the soil and that’s why I voted for her.”
Notably, the UPA and opposition’s consensus candidate had appealed to MPs and MLAs across all parties to heed the “call of conscience” and not blindly follow the decision of their respective parties to vote for a candidate during the July 18 election. While this statement was directed at BJP and other parties supporting Murmu, he would have least thought that it would go against him.
Also Read: Cross Voting In Presidential Election: Odisha Congress MLA Claims He Voted For Droupadi Murmu
Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Pattanayak said that they would apprise the high command about the development. “No whip was issued as per law but the legislators were informed about the party’s decision to vote for opposition joint candidate and everyone had agreed to it. One legislator has now issued a statement to the media claiming that he has voted for Murmu. We have asked for the documents, a meeting will be held to discuss the issue and the Congress high command will be informed accordingly,” he said.
He said the party will act in accordance with the decision taken by the central leadership.
Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said that the legislators were expected to toe the party line and not act on conscience. “Two meetings were held under the leadership of OPCC president and CLP leader and all legislators had agreed to vote for Sinha. Moquim voting for Murmu is extremely unfortunate,” he said.
Echoing his sentiments, another MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said Moquim was present in all the meetings in which they had agreed to vote for Sinha. “It is an unfortunate incident and has raised questions on unity in Odisha Congress,” he added.
