Supporters of suspended Congress leaders hold protests in Odisha capital, demand revocation of suspension
By Sukant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, July 21: Scores of Congress workers on Friday staged a demonstration against the party high command’s decision to suspend two senior leaders Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammad Moquim and former Jagatsinghpur MLA Chiranjib Biswal on the charges of anti-party activities.
Supporters of Moquim and Biswal held protests in front of the party headquarters apparently demanding early revocation of the suspension of order.
The suspension of the two leaders and subsequent protests by their supporters have in fact has warmed up the political atmosphere in the party.
“The way the two of our senior leaders Chiranjib Biswal and Mohammad Moquim – were suspended is undemocratic. The suspension of both the leaders is not justified and it has hurt scores of workers across Odisha. Such action against the two leaders who have done a lot for the party is totally not justified and is undemocratic,” said Naresh Kumar Mohanty, former spokesperson of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee.
Congress leader from Cuttack, Giribala Behera said, “Scores of workers from different parts of the state have voluntarily assembled to protest the action against Mohammad Moquim and Chiranjib Biswal as they were suspended without any personal appearance. We urge the high command to immediately revoke suspension and work to unite the party workers.”
On July 15, both Moquim and Biswal were suspended on charges of indulging in anti-party activities.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president, Sarat Pattanayak had complained against both the leaders before the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC). Based on the complaint, replies were sought from both leaders. However, the DAC was not satisfied with the replies and suspended them.
Recently Biswal had also expressed displeasure over his suspension. “If speaking the truth is a crime, then I have done it. Those who are conspiring against me, they have not won in the last 25 years. I don’t know under whose instructions such a conspiracy is being hatched. Congress activists should come forward to expose and stand against such conspiracy,” Biswal said while addressing a presser.
