Bhubaneswar: The simmering conflict within the Congress in Odisha came to the fore on Wednesday with senior leader Mohammad Moquim raising serious questions about leadership and organisational issues.
In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, Moquim raised ten urgent issues and brought serious allegations against Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das and his son Sagar Das. He accused Bhakta Das and son of supporting the separate Koshal state movement.
Moquim further pointed out that Bhakta Charan Das, who was made the OPCC president earlier this year, lost three elections. In fact, he criticized the appointment of two successive OPCC Presidents –Sarat Pattanayak and Bhakta Das–who have repeatedly lost elections. This, he argues, has crushed cadre morale and contributed directly to the Congress’ historic collapse to just 13% vote share in 2024.
Claiming about ideological controversy at the top, Moquim flagged widespread resentment over Bhakta Das’s past positions, including his criticism of the Gandhi family and support for a separate Koshal State, stances that have alienated loyal Congress workers across Odisha.
The letter claims a severe disconnect between Delhi and the grassroots. Even as
a sitting MLA, he was unable to meet Rahul Gandhi for nearly three years, signalling a deep institutional failure, Moquim claimed.
With 65% of India’s population under 35, Moquim warned that the Congress continues to project an aging leadership style. He cited the example of the 83-year-old Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as emblematic of this disconnect.
Moquim further mentioned about the departure of leaders like Jyotiraditya Scindia and Himanta Biswa Sarma as evidence that young, dynamic voices feel unheard and sidelined within the party.
Stating that Priyanka Gandhi must lead from the front, the Odisha leader said she should take a central, visible, and active leadership role to revive the Congress and re-energise its natural support base.
Seeking steps to build a new core leadership team, he suggested the formation of a fresh, credible power core around leaders such as Sachin Pilot, D K Shivakumar, A Revanth Reddy, and Shashi Tharoor, saying they combine youth appeal, administrative ability, and public credibility.
Moquim criticized the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, claiming that district-level appointments were driven by groupism and favouritism, with unpopular individuals being placed in key roles–further weakening the party.
He said the party requires deep structural and ideological reform, not cosmetic adjustments. Without serious introspection, he cautions, the Congress risks slipping into political irrelevance.
Moquim also clarified that his letter is an act of courage and commitment. Remaining silent, he said, would be a greater betrayal of the Congress than speaking uncomfortable truths.