Editor
Denial of Lok Sabha Ticket and Alleged Party Neglect Prompt Departure of Incumbent MP
Guwahati, 15 March, 24: Two days before the conclusion of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the Congress party encountered a significant setback in Assam as Abdul Khaleque, the incumbent Member of Parliament from the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency, tendered his resignation, expressing dissatisfaction with the party's direction.
Khaleque's decision to resign stems from the Congress party's refusal to grant him the Lok Sabha ticket for the upcoming elections. Instead, the party opted to field Deep Bayan, the President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Sevadal, in Barpeta.
The denial of the ticket to Abdul Khaleque, a sitting MP, has stirred controversy within the party ranks and is perceived as a key factor in his departure.
Sources close to Khaleque suggest that his disillusionment with the Congress party is rooted in the alleged neglect of the Muslim community in Assam. In a letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Khaleque lamented the party's shift away from its founding principles and the values espoused by stalwarts such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Maulana Azad.
Highlighting his long-standing association with the Congress party and his contributions in various capacities, including as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha, Khaleque expressed gratitude to his constituents and party workers who supported him throughout his tenure.
However, Khaleque voiced concerns over the party leadership's approach, particularly in Assam, where he believes issues pertinent to the people have been sidelined. He emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and criticized the party's state leadership for failing to address grassroots concerns effectively.
Concluding his letter, Abdul Khaleque announced his resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect, signaling a significant blow to the party's presence in Assam.
The departure of Abdul Khaleque underscores the challenges facing the Congress party in the region and raises questions about its ability to address the grievances of minority communities effectively. As Assam gears up for the upcoming elections, the resignation serves as a reminder of the complex political dynamics at play and the imperative for parties to prioritize inclusivity and grassroots engagement.