Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, has advised Muslim leaders to communicate with the high command regarding allegations of their neglect. This statement comes after former leader Shakeel Ahmed called Rahul Gandhi a "coward" and Rashid Alvi alleged difficulty in meeting Rahul and neglect of Muslim leaders.
Is meeting Rahul Gandhi difficult, or is it just a rumor?
Patna: Congress MP Tariq Anwar has appealed to the party’s Muslim leaders that if they feel that Muslim leaders are being neglected, they should discuss the matter with the party’s top leadership. This statement comes at a time when former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed targeted Rahul Gandhi, calling him an insecure and cowardly leader. Following this, senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that Muslim leaders are being neglected in the party and that Rahul Gandhi does not have time to meet Muslim leaders. Meeting Rahul Gandhi is not that easy.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar defends Rahul
Responding to these statements, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said in New Delhi that these are their personal feelings. If there is any such complaint, he has been a senior leader and also a Member of Parliament from the Congress, and he should talk to the Congress leadership about all these matters. If they feel that collective leadership is not being promoted, then this should be discussed.
Regarding Congress MP Manickam Tagore’s statement, Tariq Anwar said that if there is such discontent within the party, then why is it there, and it should be properly resolved. The Congress party is a national party, and it is essential for democracy that the Congress party remains strong, improves itself, and works to protect democracy in the country in the future. It should work to save democracy in the country in the coming times.
Shakeel Ahmed had called Rahul a ‘coward’
In fact, former Union Minister and senior leader Shakeel Ahmed launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “coward and insecure” leader. Ahmed, a three-time MLA and two-time MP, alleged that Rahul Gandhi feels uncomfortable around senior and popular leaders, which is why he only promotes sycophantic and inexperienced young people. Calling Rahul a dictator and undemocratic, Ahmed said that he does not listen to the advice of senior colleagues. He mocked Rahul’s working style, reminding him that this very attitude led to him losing his family’s traditional seat of Amethi. According to Ahmed, who left the Congress after the 2025 elections, Rahul Gandhi feels insecure in the presence of any prominent personality, which is harming the party’s internal democracy.
Meanwhile, on the statement of Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said that there must be some basis for what Karti said. I don’t deny this, although there is still a debate going on about whether holding simultaneous elections would be right or not. Our constitution grants rights to the states, and any step that harms or weakens those rights will not be acceptable to everyone.
Rashid Alvi, who raised questions, U-turns
Congress leader Rashid Alvi had said that limited access to the top leadership has created a communication gap in the party. Congress workers also complain that it is no longer easy to meet the Congress high command. There is no platform in the party where issues can be discussed. If people want to express their concerns, where do they go? Not everyone is a member of the Congress Working Committee.
He said that Muslim leaders are leaving the party not out of greed for power, but because of the neglect of Muslim leadership. If the neglect of Muslim leadership continues in this way, leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi will continue to become powerful forces in the country. However, Rashid Alvi, who said all this, is now praising Rahul, saying that the country needs Rahul Gandhi.
Input – IANS
Edited by: Sunil Pandey
About the author
Sunil Pandey is a Senior Journalist at Navbharat Times Bihar-Jharkhand. He has experience in all three mediums: print, TV, and digital. He has 20 years of experience in politics, sports, business, and ground reporting. He started his career with the prestigious fortnightly magazines Maya and Lokayat.
Courtesy: Hindi News