Bhubaneswar, January 28: Maintaining that discussions and preparations for formal launch of a new regional political party in the State have reached a decisive stage, expelled Congress leader Mohammed Moquim on Tuesday said that the political outfit is likely to be named either Odisha Janata Congress or Odisha Lok Congress.

“The proposed political outfit is likely to be named either Odisha Janata Congress or Odisha Lok Congress. The party would be Odisha-centric and committed to working in the interest of the people of the State and its people,” asserted Moquim.

Moquim said, “The process of formal launch of a new political party has reached a final shape. We are meeting leaders and people from various sections of society.”

To further mobilise the supporters ahead of the formal launch, Moquim said that a women’s convention will be held on January 30, followed by a farmers’ convention on February 5.

“Burning and key issues affecting women, farmers, and other sections of society would be discussed during these women and farmers’ conventions. The new party will certainly work for the interest of the State and betterment of its people,” said the former Congress MLA.

He also said that once the party is formally launched, it would begin preparations, keeping the upcoming municipal and panchayat elections in mind.

Recently on January 12, on the occasion of National Youth Day, Moquim mounted a major show of strength by mobilising large numbers of young supporters in Odisha, signalling the formal groundwork for a new regional political party, which he plans to launch by March this year.

Notably, on December 15 last year, the Congress party expelled former MLA Moquim from the party days over alleged anti-party activities after he wrote to Sonia Gandhi criticising the leadership of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the OPCC president.