Odisha: Congress revokes suspension order clamped on 2 senior leaders
By Sukant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 23: The Congress Tuesday announced revocation of suspension order of senior Odisha leaders, Mohammed Moquim and Chiranjib Biswal, ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha and Assembly polls to be held simultaneously in the state this year.
Besides, the expulsion of former legislator Krushna Chandra Sagaria was also withdrawn.
The return of Moquim, a lawmaker from return of Cuttack, and former Jagatsinghpur MLA Chiranjib Biswal to the party fold was reportedly finalised after the duo met the party’s Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar at the state guest house in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
“Congress is in the DNA of these two leaders. There were some misunderstandings which have been cleared. We should see both Moquim Bhai and Chiranjib Ji as members of one family. They are strong leaders and belong to the party’s organisation. It is obligatory on all of us that we should try to clear the existing misunderstandings,” Ajoy Kumar said on Monday.
After Ajoy Kumar took charge of the OPCC a few days ago, he had emphasised on the organisational strength of the party. He had said the party is scattered in Odisha and it has to be united. Members should consider the party as their mother, he had said.
“I thank the Congress party for revoking my suspension order. I will try to make sure that the party’s works are fast-tracked in my area. I am a disciplined worker of the party. I will do whatever task the party gives me. I was with the Congress and will remain with the party forever,” said Moquim.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on July 16, 2023, suspended Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammad Moquim and former MLA Chiranjib Biswal from the party on the ground of anti-party activities. It was then stated that OPCC president Sarat Pattanayak received complaints of anti-party activities against the two.
Acting on the complaints, AICC general secretary and member secretary of the party’s disciplinary action committee (DAC) Tariq Anwar then said that OPCC president Sarat Pattanayak complained that MLA Mohammad Moquim and ex-MLA Chiranjib Biswal were indulging in anti-party activities.
The DAC had served show cause notices to them seeking their explanations.
