Cuttack (Odisha) [India], December 12 : Former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim from Barabati-Cuttack constituency in Odisha said that he has written a letter to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, urging her to guide the party and push for new leadership amid what he described as a "difficult phase" for the Congress.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the former Cuttack-Barabati MLA Moquim said, "I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi stating that the party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership."
"Age is not on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's side," he added, saying that the party should bring forward young leaders.
Moquim added that he was confident the high command would examine his concerns, saying, "I know Sonia ji and the CWC members will definitely discuss this."
He also expressed concern over the party's recent electoral performance, especially in Odisha. "The Nuapada by-elections were concerning," he said
In the Nuapada by-election, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia defeated Congress candidate Ghasi Ram Majhi.
The Nuapada Assembly seat fell vacant following the death of senior BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia in September. By-elections were held in the constituency on November 11, and the counting of votes took place on November 14.
In his letter to Sonia Gandhi, Moquin expresses deep anguish over the Congress Party's organisational decline and leadership failures. The MLA warned that the party is losing its legacy not because of external opponents but due to decisions taken within. He called the situation unprecedented, demoralising for workers, and urged urgent corrective steps and renewed leadership.
Furthermore, he flagged Rahul Gandhi's inaccessibility and said he hasn't been able to meet him for three years. Moquim said Congress is slipping away due to internal decisions, not external defeats.
He cautioned that the party's six straight Assembly losses in Odisha since the year 2000 and national setbacks stem from decisions made within, not external opponents.
Moquim also highlighted severe demoralisation of grassroots workers, who feel unseen, unheard, and directionless and flagged a growing disconnect with India's youth in the letter.