1. Abdul Khaleque, incumbent MP and two-time MLA, denied Congress ticket amidst candidate selection controversy.
2. Congress president Sonia Gandhi reportedly advocated for Khaleque to contest from the Barpeta constituency.
3. Speculation and controversy surround candidate selection for upcoming elections in Assam.
Guwahati, March 13: Abdul Khaleque, the incumbent Member of Parliament and a two-time MLA from Assam, finds himself denied a ticket by the Congress party amidst a backdrop of speculation and controversy surrounding candidate selection for the upcoming elections.
Sonia Gandhi, Congress president, reportedly advocated for Khaleque to contest from the Barpeta constituency.
However, Khaleque expressed reservations due to significant changes in demographics following a delimitation exercise, prompting him to seek candidacy in Dhubri, a constituency with a Muslim majority.
Despite his preferences, the party nominated former Assam minister Rakibul Hussain for the Dhubri seat. A leaked letter penned by Khaleque in February 2024 sheds light on the party’s internal workings regarding candidate selection.
Addressed to Jitendra Singh, General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Khaleque’s letter outlines grievances and concerns, questioning pre-determined candidate selection, particularly in Dhubri.
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He highlights instances of alleged misconduct within the party, including accusations of MLAs siding with the NDA during the Presidential election.
Khaleque expresses disappointment over the lack of action against party members allegedly supporting the BJP, calling for an investigation into leaked news of his purported suspension from the party.
However, Jitendra Singh denies Khaleque’s accusations, refuting claims that he decided on Rakibul Hussain for the Dhubri seat. The leaked letter prompts introspection within the Assam Congress, revealing internal fault lines and challenges to unity.
Despite the setback, Khaleque reaffirms his loyalty to the Congress party and its leadership, pledging to continue his fight against the BJP’s divisive policies.
