'If Muslims ask, I have no answer': Chinks in Congress exposed after Maharashtra leader's letter
- In Reports
- 08:22 PM, Apr 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
Muhammad Arif 'Naseem' Khan, a prominent Congress figure in Maharashtra, has resigned from the party's campaign committee for the Lok Sabha elections. His decision stems from disappointment with the absence of Muslim representation among the candidates nominated by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in the state. Khan conveyed his dissatisfaction to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, emphasising that he will not participate in campaigning as no Muslim candidate has been fielded out of the total 48 seats in Maharashtra by the MVA.
The absence of a candidate from the minority community this time has left me without answers to questions that voters may pose," remarked the Congress leader. "Therefore, I've made the decision not to campaign during the third, fourth, and fifth phases of elections. Party members are now questioning why Congress seeks Muslim votes but fails to nominate candidates from the community," he added, highlighting the growing concern among party workers and leaders.
Speaking to the news agency ANI, Khan reiterated the Congress party's foundational ideology of inclusivity, emphasising its commitment to representing all communities regardless of caste or religion. Expressing widespread discontent among members of the minority community and affiliated organisations, he highlighted the absence of a single Muslim candidate among the opposition's nominees across Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats. Khan expressed personal disappointment, stating that Congress has historically embraced diversity and strived to unite people from various backgrounds, including Muslims, OBCs, Marathas, SCs, and STs.
Abu Azmi, a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party, expressed disappointment over the absence of Muslim candidates nominated by the INDIA bloc among Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats. He also criticised Congress for not advocating for Muslim reservation during the MVA's recent 2.5-year tenure. It's worth noting that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party's alliance in Uttar Pradesh adds an intriguing dimension to their relationship.
Responding to this dynamic, BJP leader Amit Malviya accused the Congress-led INDIA bloc of playing a "double game with Muslims." This observation underscores the complexity of political alliances and strategies, especially in the context of minority representation and electoral politics.
In response to the situation, BJP leader Amit Malviya urged Muslims, like all Indians, to consider voting for Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, presenting an alternative to their current dissatisfaction with other parties.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Nirupam, a former Congress leader recently expelled from the party, expressed his discontent over the repeated absence of Muslim candidates in Lok Sabha elections despite unwavering loyalty to the Congress. He suggested that such occurrences may lead to unexpected developments, hinting at the possibility of the Maharashtra unit of Congress merging with the Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray. This remark underscores the growing disillusionment within the Congress party and the potential ramifications for its future alliances and strategies.
Image Source: Navbharat Times
Comments