Congress MP Premchand Guddu’s letter raising the demand for tickets to minority candidates in adequate number in Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections has ignited a political atmosphere within the party.
Party sources said Guddu, who is also chairman of the party’s Election Publicity and Publication Committee, has shot a missive to the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi through State incharge general secretary Mohan Prakash and Congress Central Election Committee members regarding the matter.
In the letter, he pointed out that only a single minority candidate has been provided ticket in the first list of 115 candidates, which was declared recently. He said minorities held influence in several constituencies and that this point should be kept under consideration.
Guddu in his letter said, “There is discontent among the Muslims in the State as only one community member has been provided party ticket in the first list of names announced by the party. There is urgent need in the interest of the party to take steps to curb the growing dissidence among the community.”
Guddu further said that if immediate steps were not taken to pacify the fuming community the party could suffer adversely.
According to sources, Guddu would discuss the matter with party bigwigs in New Delhi. However, State Congress leaders are avoiding commenting on the matter. Meanwhile, most names are likely to be announced in New Delhi on Tuesday.
When a query over the matter was put, Congress’ State vice-president Rameshwar Neekhra said anyone had the right to pen a missive but its publication was not appropriate.
However, the community ignored by the party leadership in the allotment of 50 per cent of the tickets of the State Assembly is overwhelmed over unexpected support from Guddu.
The fuming community though got a bit relief from Congress MPs unexpected support but it now would be seen that how effective would the step be as the community leaders believe that it is too late for Guddu to raise up the issue.