Congress MLA Arif Masood Issues Stark Warning to Party Over Minority Rights
Sitting Congress MLA Arif Masood openly threatened his own party and its leaders with electoral defeat on Tuesday if they fail to protect minority communities. Masood, a two-time MLA from the Bhopal (Central) assembly constituency and one of only two Muslim legislators in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly, delivered this ultimatum during a public meeting in Burhanpur.
Direct Threat to Congress Leadership
Addressing the gathering, Masood declared, "I tell people in my party, I tell the people in the Congress that you do not come under the terror of the BJP. Congress leaders should steadfastly stand with us in every crisis. If you do not stand with us, or else remember that we will make you sit at home permanently."
He expressed frustration that Congress leaders appear inactive when minority rights are threatened, stating, "When people are being tormented, the Constitution is being disregarded, our rights are being taken away, and you (Congress leaders) sit in the house citing busy schedules. And during elections you come to us. Don't be under this misconception."
Allegations of Voter Roll Manipulation
Masood's anger stems from complaints by minority community members that their names are allegedly being deleted under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He argued that when constitutional and legal protections are ignored, the Congress party must take to the streets in protest.
Targeting the ruling BJP, Masood claimed, "BJP is not concerned about any section of society but only lusts after power." He accused the ruling party of systematically targeting one specific community in a planned manner.
Congress Party's Response
Despite the strong language, the state Congress appears to have taken no offence to Masood's statements. State Congress media cell chief and former minister Mukesh Naik told TOI, "Arif Masood has spoken about our party leaders, not threatened the party. He was talking about leaders who do not stand with the issues faced by the minority community. Masood wants that help should be extended to people of the minority community when they are facing injustice."
Naik supported Masood's allegations, claiming the BJP is deleting minority voters from electoral rolls. He revealed that Masood has taken the matter to the Burhanpur district collector and that the Pradesh Congress Committee is planning to file FIRs for every eligible name deleted during the SIR process.
The situation highlights growing tensions within the Congress party regarding its stance on minority protection and electoral strategy in Madhya Pradesh.
