Slamming Congress leaders for their style of functioning, Muslim leaders in the party warned that the traditional vote bank should not be taken for granted even as they sought adequate representation in posts and during selection of candidates for next year’s elections to the Legislative Assembly.
Speaking at convention of leaders of the community organized by the party here, former civil aviation minister C M Ibrahim led the attack by instancing how he was let down after being promised the position of leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council. He said Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Madhusudan Mistry, called and promised him that he would first be made a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and later elevated as leader of the Opposition in the upper House. Later, he was denied a ticket at the last minute. “We (Muslims) are not toys any more in anyone's hands. They must honour our self respect,” he reportedly told the gathering.
He said originally Muslims had no intentions of deserting the Congress, but the attitude of leaders towards the community was forcing them to look for alternatives. “Even though there is a threat from the Janata Dal (S), minorities have second thoughts about supporting that party after the leaders committed a blunder by joining hands with the BJP. This is sheer luck,” he said indicating that members of the community could scout for alternative parties if their interests were not protected.
Mr Rahim Khan, a legislator from Bidar, took exception to the fact that the party had not organized a single convention or meeting for minorities over the last four years. “Organising conventions for minorities at the time of elections just means that the party leaders are resorting to gimmicks. So, it is high time that leaders change their approach towards minorities," Mr Khan added.
Mr Khan felt that party should not repeat the mistake of previous Assembly elections when certain leaders of the community were forced to run from pillar to post to secure tickets. The party leaders also erred by not fielding candidates from minority community in Bijapur and Davanagere districts, he added.
In his address, veteran Congress leader and former railway minister, C. K. Jafer Sharief, reportedly warned that the Congress was losing its sheen in Karnataka and elsewhere as most of its leaders had turned agents. "These agents are ruining the party and they are breaking the unity of the party. During the era of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, every leader was respected and given his due," he added.
According to him, the defeat of Mr Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi' in recent polls to the Legislative Council should serve as an eye-opener for leaders of the community leaders. "Let's face it. If we were united, no one would have taken a Muslim leader taken for a ride. It is high time that we stand united and get our due," the former minister added.