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Odisha’s political landscape is set for a shake-up as former Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim announced on Monday that he is launching a new political party. The move comes shortly after Moquim was expelled from the Congress on charges of anti-party activities. Choosing a symbolic date, Moquim noted that the groundwork for the outfit will begin on January 12 to coincide with National Youth Day, with a formal launch expected by the final week of March.

 

Moquim’s vision for the party leans heavily on the next generation, with a specific focus on elevating young leaders from Odisha’s coastal districts. Interestingly, he hinted that while the new party will be an independent entity, its name will likely retain some link to the word "Congress." However, he admitted the final branding is still up in the air, mentioning that he is currently consulting with both political allies and astrologers to finalise the details.

 

The veteran leader claimed that there is a growing appetite in the state for a political alternative that isn't the Biju Janata Dal, Bharatiya Janata Party, or the traditional Congress. Moquim claims he has already been approached by disgruntled leaders from various camps, as well as a group of young doctors looking to enter public service. "The focus will be strictly on issues specific to Odisha," he told reporters, framing the party as a homegrown solution to the state's problems.

 

One of the biggest questions looming over the announcement is the status of his daughter, Sofia Firdous. Despite his own exit from the Congress and the launch of this new venture, Moquim was careful to distance her career from his own. He reiterated that Sofia is free to chart her own political course and that he has not held any formal discussions with her about joining his new front. As the state watches to see who else jumps ship to join Moquim, his January 12 event is expected to be a key indicator of just how much of a "third force" this new party can truly become.

 

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