Presidential Polls: Odisha Cong MLA voted for Droupadi Murmu ‘daughter of the soil’

By B.Maharana

Bhubaneswar, July 18

Congress MLA from Odisha Mohammed Moquim on Monday  voted for the National Democratic Alliance-backed presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.

There is a sense of unease in the party over Moquim not adhering to the party line.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote Congress MLA Moquim, said he has cross-voted and cast his vote in favour of Droupadi Murmu. “I have voted  according to his conscience for the daughter of the soil,” he said.

“I am a Congress MLA… but I voted for NDA’s candidate Droupadi Murmu. It is my personal decision as I’ve listened to my heart which guided me to do something for the soil and that’s why voted for her,” Moquim said..

Odisha Congress President Sarat Patnaik and CLP leader Narasingh Mishra held a meeting with party MLAs in state assembly after the voting.

Some party MLAs, who did not wish to be quoted, said Moquim should have gone with the party’s decision.

Patnaik said the Congress central leadership will be apprised of Moquim not voting according to the decision of the party.

“All Congress MLAs decided to vote for Opposition Candidate Yashwant Sinha. However, we came to know from the media that one of our MLAs has not voted for Sinha and he also made some statement before media. After examining his statement, the high command will be apprised of the issue and the action will be taken as per its decision,” Patnaik said.

Murmu hails from Odisha and has served as a minister in the state.