Influential Muslim leader takes back resignation, pledges to help Varsha Gaikwad win handsomely
Arif Naseem Khan with Ramesh Chennithala in Mumbai on Monday
Congress has doused the fire by wooing the party’s Muslim face Arif Naseem Khan, who had resigned as the star campaigner. It realised on Monday, much later, that Khan was a loyal and influential leader, who the party needed in its rank to lead the charge against the BJP. In fact, Khan had wished to lead from the front and asked for a ticket from the Mumbai North Central constituency where Muslims have the largest presence in the city. But Khan was denied. He said his ticket was confirmed two months ago, but the party replaced him with Varsha Gaikwad, the city Congress president, who actually had demanded South Central for herself.
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The controversy flared up further when MVA partner Shiv Sena (UBT) strongly rebutted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's statement that the replacement was influenced by requirements of alliance. Grapevine said that in case of Khan's candidature and in view of polarisation, Sena would not be able to transfer Hindu votes to a Muslim contestant. It upset Sena as it also banks on new-found Muslim support. It called out Congress, asking it not to blame others for the mess.
Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan
It has now come to Khan and his ilk that they attract as many Muslim votes for Gaikwad, a Marathi Dalit. Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, a resident of the North Central segment, has promised the party's best effort for Gaikwad. Khan assured the same on Monday while addressing a joint press conference with Ramesh Chennithala, the party's in-charge general secretary. Khan had met Rahul Gandhi in Pune a couple of days ago.
According to Chennithala, Khan's grievance was discussed at the senior-most level. "There is freedom of expression and democracy in our party. Congress is a party that supports all castes. Khan and his colleagues have taken back their resignations and will be active in the campaign," said Chennithala.
"I raised some issues on behalf of certain sections of the society. My party will make a suitable decision. I will work alongside Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to ensure that the INDIA bloc installs its prime minister," he said. He appended his statement, saying that Gaikwad will win by a margin of two lakh votes. Obviously, he has counted nearly 25 per cent of Muslim voters in the constituency in predicting a massive victory margin. In doing so, Khan has hogged the attention of the observers, party and alliance colleagues, who will be analysing his contribution, whether it is a win or defeat for Gaikwad.
Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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25%
Muslim voters in the constituency
May 20
Day of polls
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