'If Muslims Ask, I Have No Answer': Maharashtra Congress Leader's Letter Exposes Chinks in Party

File photo of Maharashtra’s senior Congress leader Muhammed Arif ‘Naseem’ Khan.

Maharashtra’s senior Congress leader Muhammed Arif ‘Naseem’ Khan has stepped down from the party’s campaign committee amid the Lok Sabha elections. He expressed displeasure over the party not nominating any Muslim leader in the state.

In a letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, he stated that he won’t campaign for the polls as the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) bloc had not fielded a candidate from the minority community.

“From total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, MVA has not nominated a single Muslim candidate in Maharashtra,” the former state minister wrote.

“Why is there no candidate from the minority community this time? If I go to the people to canvas for votes, they will ask me questions that I don’t have answers to. Hence, I have decided not to campaign for the third, fourth and fifth phases of elections,” the Congress leader added.

The 60-year-old politician further claimed that party leaders and workers are now asking him, “Congress ko Muslim vote chahiye, candidate kyun nahi (Congress wants Muslim votes, but why not candidates).”

Later, speaking to news agency ANI, Khan said that Congress’ ideology since inception has been to take everyone along, regardless of community or caste.

“There is a lot of anger among people belonging to the minority community or associated with organisations linked with us. as there is not one Muslim (Opposition) candidate across the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. I am upset, too, as the Congress, going back to its founding days, has been known to take everyone along, regardless of whether they are Muslims, OBCs, Marathas, SCs or STs,” the Congress leader was quoted.

Reacting to Khan’s move, senior Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi said that it’s disheartening to note that the INDIA bloc did not nominate any Muslim candidates out of the 48 Lok Sabha Seats in Maharashtra. “The Congress also did not advocate for Muslim reservation during the recent 2.5 year MVA tenure,” he added.

(details to follow)

Explore Live updates on the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 News . Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website.