Policy & Politics

Odisha Congress MLA Took Yashwant Sinha’s ‘Heed The Call Of Conscience’ Too Seriously; Check The Reactions

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.

Punya Prava Rath
Share
Published by
Punya Prava Rath

Recent Posts

Zelensky ‘Obsessed’ With Continuing War, Says Russia After Ukraine President’s Talks With Trump Fail

Moscow: The world watched with amazement a shouting match between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in… Read More

5 minutes ago

Odisha CM Launches 158 Projects Worth Rs 375 Cr In Mayurbhanj

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched a number of development projects… Read More

36 minutes ago

Destination Wedding In Pink City For Odisha MLA, OAS Officer Bride-To-Be

Bhubaneswar: Mahanga MLA Sarada Prasad Pradhan is set to tie the nuptial knot at a… Read More

41 minutes ago

Singer Shreya Ghoshal Cautions Fans After Her X Account Gets Hacked; No Action Yet From Social Media Company

Mumbai: Noted Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal is in distress after her X account was hacked.… Read More

50 minutes ago

India’s First Clinic For Transgender Community Shuts Down; Know The Trump Connection

Hyderabad: Mitr Clinic, India’s first healthcare centre for the transgender community, has shut down operations.… Read More

1 hour ago

Arijit Singh At Barabati Stadium Today, Alan Walker Next; Odisha In Tune With PM Modi’s ‘Concert Economy’ Vision

Bhubaneswar: Exactly a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for concert economy, Odisha is… Read More

1 hour ago