Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of the Indian National Congress has been hit by a fresh wave of internal turmoil after several party workers and office-bearers resigned en masse, a development that has now triggered discussions around the possibility of forming a new regional political outfit in the state.
The resignations were reportedly tendered by supporters and close associates of former senior leader and ex-MLA Mohammed Moquim, who was recently expelled from the party. The move is being seen as a mark of protest against the decision of the state leadership and the overall functioning of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC).
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Those who quit the party include former district-level leaders, block presidents, youth and student wing members, and a few former office-bearers. Many of them alleged that the current leadership has become disconnected from grassroots workers and is ignoring internal opinions and organisational feedback.
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Several resigned leaders claimed that the Congress in Odisha is suffering from “directionless leadership” and warned that the party is steadily losing its credibility among ground-level workers.
“We have been raising concerns for a long time, but nobody listens. The expulsion of senior leaders without dialogue has completely demoralised the cadre,” said one of the former block presidents.
Following the mass exit, political circles in Odisha are now abuzz with speculation about the launch of a new regional party by disgruntled Congress leaders. While no formal announcement has been made yet, sources indicate that informal discussions are already underway regarding a new platform to represent regional aspirations and provide an alternative political voice.
The episode has once again highlighted the growing internal rift within the state Congress, which has been struggling to revive its organisational strength after repeated electoral setbacks.
So far, the OPCC leadership has not issued any official response to the resignations or the speculation surrounding a new regional party. However, political observers believe the developments could significantly weaken the Congress ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
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