Muslim Congress leaders arrested after late-night protest over MLC seat denial
HYDERABAD: Muslim Congress leaders staged a late-night protest at the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan, expressing strong discontent over the party’s decision to deny them representation in the upcoming MLC elections under the MLA quota. The protest, which began around 2 am on Monday, resulted in the arrest of several senior Congress leaders and activists.
Led by Hyderabad District Congress Committee (DCC) President Mohammed Waliullah Sameer, TPCC Spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin, and former Congress candidates Osman Al Hajiri (Karwan), Syed Akbar (Malakpet), and Mujeebullah Shareef (Charminar), the demonstrators accused the Congress leadership of systematically sidelining Muslim representation in Telangana. Veteran leader Muzaffarullah Khan was also among those leading the protest.
Muslim Leaders Demand Political Representation
During the protest, leaders raised slogans and criticized the party for ignoring the Muslim community, despite its significant role in securing Congress’ victory in Telangana. They pointed out that the Congress had earlier denied Muslim representation in the by-elections for two MLC seats in January 2024 and had once again failed to nominate a Muslim leader among the three current MLC seats, while granting one seat to its ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI).
“This is not just neglect; it is a betrayal of the Muslim community, which has historically stood with the Congress party,” one of the protesting leaders stated.
Another leader questioned why the party had failed to elect a single Muslim MLA or MP since 2009. “The Congress has consistently ignored Muslim candidates when it comes to serious electoral support. They are given tickets but left to campaign without any backing from senior leaders,” he added.
Allegations of Internal Politics and MIM Influence
Hyderabad DCC President Mohammed Waliullah Sameer criticized certain sections within Congress for allegedly spreading a false narrative that the party was informally aligned with the AIMIM. “There is no alliance between Congress and MIM, yet some leaders are using this excuse to justify excluding Muslim leaders from within the Congress. This is damaging our credibility among our supporters,” he said.
Sameer also revealed that he had requested a meeting with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy but was denied. “I fought against Asaduddin Owaisi in Hyderabad. Instead of supporting its own leaders, Congress seems to be appeasing MIM. This is unacceptable,” he asserted.
Growing Discontent Among Muslim Congress Leaders
Former Karwan candidate Osman Al Hajiri demanded that the Congress leadership reconsider its decision and allocate at least one MLC ticket to a Muslim leader. “This is not just about political positions; it is about dignity and recognition of a community that has supported Congress for decades,” he said.
TPCC Spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin warned that continued neglect of Muslim leaders could have severe consequences for the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “Muslim leaders within Congress can no longer remain silent while being systematically sidelined. The party must address this issue before it’s too late,” he said.
The protest at Gandhi Bhavan created ripples within the Telangana Congress, increasing pressure on the state and national leadership to address the growing dissatisfaction among Muslim leaders.
The police intervened in the early hours of Monday, arresting several protesting leaders and shifting them to a nearby police station. The detained leaders have vowed to continue their fight for fair representation.
With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaching, the Congress now faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and avoid alienating a crucial voter base.