“After serving the party for close to two decades I had to leave it as there is no hope of any recognition here,” says Syed Arshadulla, who used to be with the Youth Congress, and quit it recently.
This is not a one-off case; it is the sentiment of several young Congressmen from the minority community who feel the party is too “crowded” for them to climb up the ladder. What is making the climb really steep is that most veteran leaders are keen to promote their sons and daughters, resulting in the “minority quota” being already full even before they get a chance.
If the Youth Congress elections and the recent list of Congress office-bearers is anything to go by, sons and daughters of prominent and senior Congressmen seem to be getting good representation, leaving out those who do not have “godfathers”. Coupled with this is the proposed migration of JD(S) minority leader B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, which has further dampened the spirits of the community members in the Congress, since it adds to the already crowded slot.
The result of this resentment is an influx of young and promising Muslim members into the JD(S) from the Congress. “We have been sidelined and there is no hope that we will be recognised in future as the Muslim representation is full in the party. This is why I recently quit the party,” said Mr. Arshadulla.
‘Minority leadership soaked in nepotism’
“The party’s leadership, particularly the minority leadership, is so soaked in nepotism that it suffocates any leader with self-respect. It disgusts me when people of all ages fall at the feet of young boys just because he is a leader’s son,” said another member, who wished not to be named.
Another such example is Nasir Hussain Ustad, former Kalaburagi Youth Congress president, who recently joined the JD(S). His concern is that he will be denied party ticket as rumours are doing the rounds that the former Minister Qamural Islam’s wife will be accommodated. Mr. Hussain has served the party in various positions for more than 20 years.
Some of the present day leaders are themselves sons and daughters of those who were in the party. Persons such as U.T. Khader (son of former MLA U.T. Fareed); Tanveer Sait (son of former Minister Aziz Sait); Rafeeq Ahmed (son-in-law of defeated Congress candidate from Tumkuru Shafi Ahmed); Syed Yasin (son-in-law of C.K. Jaffer Sharief); and Rahman Sharief (son of Jaffer Sharief) are suitable examples.
And, there are a whole lot of them in waiting, such as Ruman Baig (son of Roshan Baig), Mansoor Ali Khan (son of Rehman Khan), Mohammed Haris (son of N.A. Haris). “It is quite evident that their fathers are promoting them when we see them occupying the dais at every party function,” said another disgruntled Muslim Congressman.
However, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Dinesh Gundu Rao said there was no reason for the Muslim community to feel left out. “The Congress has always accommodated all communities equally. Muslims have been given due political representation. Our Chief Minister has also addressed their development issues by allocating adequate amount in the budget,” he said.
Published - January 30, 2018 01:07 am IST
