Team Clarion
NAGPUR — Former state minister and Congress leader Haji Anees Ahmed has voiced concerns over the declining representation of Muslims in the political sphere, particularly within the Congress party. In a recent interview with a Marathi news channel, Ahmed highlighted the lack of electoral opportunities for Muslims, despite their overwhelming support for the Congress.
According to him, 99% of the Muslim community votes for the Congress, yet they are not adequately represented, especially in Maharashtra.
Ahmed expressed frustration that not a single Muslim candidate was given a ticket in Maharashtra for the Lok Sabha elections, and the Legislative Council elections also ignored Muslim representation. He noted that this exclusion has left the Muslim community feeling marginalised and angry, and they are now demanding their rightful place in the political process.
The Congress leader revealed that this dissatisfaction has been communicated to senior Congress figures, including the party’s general secretary Mukul Wasnik and Maharashtra state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala. In response, the high command has reportedly assured that the party will make an effort to field more Muslim candidates in the upcoming elections. However, Ahmed stressed that it is not enough to simply nominate Muslim candidates in vulnerable constituencies. He called for a strategic allocation of seats where Muslim candidates have a real chance of winning.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net.