New Regional Outfit Odisha Janata Congress Launched In Bhubaneswar Ahead Of Local Polls
The launch assumes significance as it comes at a time when the state’s political landscape is witnessing churn: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: In a significant political development in Odisha ahead of upcoming grassroots elections, a new regional party — Odisha Janata Congress (OJC) — was formally launched on Wednesday under the leadership of former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim.
The party was unveiled at a large gathering at the Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar, where hundreds of supporters assembled, signalling the outfit’s intent to emerge as an alternative political force in the state.
Moquim, who will serve as the founding president, said the formation of OJC stems from the need for a “drastic political change” in Odisha, which he claimed was not possible within the Congress framework. “We realised that Odisha needs a new direction driven by youth power. That is why Odisha Janata Congress has been formed,” he said while addressing the gathering.
The launch assumes significance as it comes at a time when the state’s political landscape is witnessing churn. The opposition Biju Janata Dal, led by veteran leader Naveen Patnaik, is facing internal strains, while the Indian National Congress continues to struggle to regain its footing in the state. Sources indicated that several disgruntled leaders from both parties are in touch with the new outfit and may join in the coming weeks.
The presence of suspended Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, daughter of Moquim, at the launch event added a layer of political intrigue, suggesting possible realignments within the Congress ecosystem in Odisha.
Positioning itself as a youth-centric platform, the OJC has already conducted outreach programmes across 15 districts in the run-up to its formal launch. Party leaders said organisational expansion and leadership structuring are currently underway, with a focus on building a grassroots network ahead of the municipal and panchayat elections.
Moquim announced that the party will contest the upcoming local body polls, marking its electoral debut. He also used the occasion to extend greetings on the Odia New Year and invoked the vision of freedom fighters, asserting that the party aims to align governance with their ideals.
In a sharp critique of both past and present regimes, Moquim alleged that “the previous and current governments are two sides of the same coin,” accusing them of failing to bring meaningful changes in governance and administrative culture. He also raised concerns over industrial expansion, land and forest rights issues in districts such as Kalahandi and Rayagada, and continuing disputes over river water sharing, including the Mahanadi issue.
According to political commentator Srirama Dash, the emergence of OJC introduces a fresh variable into Odisha’s evolving political equation, particularly at a time when regional dynamics are in flux. While it remains to be seen how effectively the new party can convert early momentum into electoral gains, its launch underscores growing space for alternative political narratives in the state.
