'Muslim Vote Chahiye, Candidate Kyu Nhi?': Maharashtra Congress Leader Asks Kharge, Refuses To Campaign

‘muslim vote chahiye, candidate kyu nhi?’: maharashtra congress leader muhammed arif ‘naseem’ khan asks mallikarjun kharge, refuses to campaign

Mumbai: In a significant blow to the Congress party in Maharashtra, senior leader Muhammed Arif ‘Naseem’ Khan has resigned from the party’s campaign committee, citing dissatisfaction over the absence of Muslim candidates in the state’s electoral lineup. Khan expressed his discontent in a letter addressed to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, declaring his decision to abstain from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Khan highlighted the absence of Muslim representation among the candidates fielded by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) bloc, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP, for the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. “From a total of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, MVA has not nominated a single Muslim candidate,” Khan wrote in his letter.

The former state minister expressed disappointment among Muslim organizations, leaders, and party workers over the Congress’ failure to nominate any candidate from the minority community. He echoed the sentiments of many, questioning, “Congress ko Muslim vote chahiye, candidate kyun nahi (Congress wants Muslim votes, but why not candidates).”

Khan, aged 60, announced his resignation from the Maharashtra Congress Campaign Committee alongside his withdrawal from election campaigning. Despite his aspirations to contest from Mumbai North Central, the party favoured city unit president Varsha Gaikwad for the constituency. Khan’s disenchantment stems from what he perceives as a departure from the Congress’ longstanding ethos of inclusivity.

In an interview with PTI, Khan expressed dismay over the party’s alleged deviation from its inclusive ideology and the lack of representation for minority communities in the electoral process.

“I am unable to face questions of why injustice has been done (to minority groups). The party has deviated from its inclusive ideology and giving representation to all communities,” remarked a disillusioned Khan.