The Congress party is in turmoil after suspending three MLAs—Sophia Firdous, Ramesh Jena, and Dasharathi Gamang—for defying a party whip to cross-vote in the Rajya Sabha elections.
PCC President Bhakta Charan Das slammed the move as "betrayal," notably mocking Jena by stating, "The Tiger of Ganjam ate grass yesterday."
The crisis has deepened as former leader Mohammad Mokim defended his daughter, Sophia, claiming she was systematically ignored by the party. He hinted at forming a new "Odisha-Janata-Congress" if the expulsion proceeds.
Despite frantic efforts to maintain unity—including fly-outs to Bengaluru—the internal rift was exposed when the three Odisha-based MLAs broke ranks.
With allegations of "horse-trading" surfacing from MLA Ramachandra Kadam, the Congress now faces a fight for survival as its core strength fractures ahead of future state polls.