Defying party’s decision, Congress politician and Cuttack- Barbati MLA Mohammed Moquim created a flutter in political circles on Monday by announcing that he has voted in favour of NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.

After casting his vote for Murmu at the Odisha Assembly premises, the first-time MLA Moquim, 57, told reporters, “I voted for Murmu, who belongs to my own state. I voted for the daughter of the soil. By voting in favour of Murmu, I have given respect to the sentiments of the people of my state.”

On being asked about whether it would not invite disciplinary action from the party, Moquim told The Telegraph, “The party has not issued a whip to vote for Yaswant Sinha. So I voted according to my conscience. For me the mati (soil) comes first and the party comes later.”

Stating that the people of the state would certainly feel proud of his stance, Moquim said he would feel proud if his vote ensures Murmu’s win.

Earlier, chief minister Naveen Patnaik had appealed to the Congress MLAs to vote for Murmu. “There is no pressure on me to vote for Murmu. I have listened to my conscience and voted for the daughter of the state,” the MLA said.

On the issue of the party taking possible disciplinary action, Moquim said: “Lets see what is in store for me. There is no need to talk about it at this point.”

Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra said: “After Moquim made a statement on casting his vote in favour of Murmu against the party’s stance, I have duly informed it to the high command.”

Condemning the action, senior Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said: “Earlier several discussions were held among us to support the Opposition’s candidate Yashwant Sinha. This will send the wrong message.”

The BJD had earlier announced its support for Murmu. Even Naveen had sent party leaders and ministers near to Congress leaders seeking their support for Murmu. However, Odisha Pradesh Congress had announced to support the candidature of Sinha. But Moquim’s stance has created ripples in the political circle with a section saying he would join the BJD in future.

Moquim, who was earlier in the race for the post of PCC president, was quite annoyed with the high command after it appointed Sarat Pattanayak as the state party chief. PCC chief Pattanayak told this newspaper, “We are examining the statement of Moquim on voting in favour of Murmu. We will inform the high command.”

Asked if the party will initiate action against Moquim, Pattanayak said: “ Let us wait. We should not jump to a conclusion at this moment.”

While Moquim publicly announced that he had voted in favour of Murmu it is not yet known if any other MLA from the party has also done so. The party has nine MLAs in the 147-member state Assembly.

Sources in the party said it was examining the matter in view of Election Commission’s direction in 2012 that political parties can not issue any direction or whip to its MLAs and MPs to vote or not in presidential polls as it would be an offence and the MPs and MLAs will not risk disqualification under Anti- Defection law if he or she votes against a candidate that the party does not favour.

While the MLAs, including the chief minister, cast their votes in the presidential election here, the MPs cast their votes on the Parliament premises in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, the BJD has announced its support for NDA’s vice-presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar as well.

Manmohan Singh casts vote

Former Prime Minister and MP Manmohan Singh casts his vote for the election of the President in New Delhi on  Monday.  PTI picture

Former Prime Minister and MP Manmohan Singh casts his vote for the election of the President in New Delhi on Monday.

A total of 4,809 electors, including 776 MPs and 4,033 elected MLAs, are entitled to vote in the election, but nominated MPs and MLAs, and Members of Legislative Council are not.

The Election Commission said over 99 per cent of the total electors had cast their ballot.

Draupadi Murmu was the NDA candidate and Yashwant Sinha was the Opposition candidate. PTI