Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: As the election is approaching, unusual political development has been witnessed in Barabati- Cuttack constituency.
Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim and former Odisha Cricket Academy (OCA) secretary Ashirbad Behera have shared a stage after a long period. Asirbad Behera was given a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the field of sports by the Moquim Foundation. On this occasion, MLA Moquim publicly praised Ashirbad and his contribution to sports in Odisha.
Both leaders are known as rivals in politics. But it is believed that ahead of the coming assembly election, MLA Mohammed Moquim has attempted to build a relationship with Ashirbad Behera.
In Cuttack, Ashirbad Behera has its organization, and own political base which cannot be ignored by political parties. In the 2014 election, Ashirbad actively supported BJD candidate Debashis Samantaray which caused the defeat of Congress MLA Moquim. Since then, the rift between Ashirbad and Moquim has widened.
In 2019, the political landscape of the Barbati-Cuttack seat changed, not having a BJD ticket, Ashirbad distanced himself from politics and became silent for the last 4 and half years.
It is said that there has been an agreement between Moquim and Ashirbad. Such an understanding is an attempt to get the cooperation and support of Asirbad as Moquim is expected to contest again from the Barbati-Cuttack seat in the upcoming elections.
