‘Being in Opposition does not mean…’: Congress MP Imran Masood praises Yogi Adityanath, cites ‘politics of optimism’

Saharanpur MP Imran Masood shot to priminence with his "boti boti" remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (FIle Photo: Facebook)

Stating that he cannot disapprove of the good work done by the government just because he is in the Opposition, newly elected Saharanpur MP Imran Masood praised the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh for ensuring smooth power supply amid the intense heat wave. Masood made the remarks while speaking to Hindi news channel Aaj Tak.

“In this terrible heat, if the power supply is working uninterrupted in UP, then the electricity department workers should be praised,” Masood said without naming Adityanath.

“If the light is switched on and I say it is off, no one will believe it. If positive work has been done then it has to be appreciated. Being in the Opposition does not mean we will always remain critical. I believe in practising the politics of optimism and not of negativity. If we do not support (the government) on what is right, how will the situation improve?” he added.

Imran Masood was elected as the Lok Sabha MP from UP’s Saharanpur in the elections held this year. He had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections from the seat twice in 2014 and in 2019. He has previously served as an Independent MLA from the Muzaffarabad Assembly seat from 2007 to 2012. In the 2024 Lok Sbaha polls, Masood defeated Raghav Lakhanpal of the Bharatiya Janata Party to claim the Saharanpur seat.

Speaking to the channel, Masood said that he would forcefully raise the issues of his constituency, be it health services, education, or infrastructure development.

Notably, Masood shot to prominence with his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein he threatened to “chop him into pieces”. Following a furore over his remarks, Masood was booked and also served jail time. He joined Congress just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections this year.