• Congress leader campaigns for Dr Shakeel Ahmed Khan in Kadwa, warns that MIM’s presence only benefits BJP

Kadwa (Bihar), November 2: Senior Congress leader and Advisor to the Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Sunday accused the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) of deliberately dividing Muslim votes in Bihar to weaken secular parties and indirectly strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking at a public meeting in Chauki Panchayat of Kadwa constituency while campaigning for Congress candidate Dr Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Shabbir Ali said that MIM’s political entry into minority-dominated constituencies was aimed at damaging Muslim representation in the Assembly. He appealed to voters not to be swayed by emotional or religious appeals and to recognise that each vote cast for MIM effectively benefits the BJP.

“The kite symbol does not fly toward secularism – it lands straight in the BJP’s box,” Shabbir Ali told the gathering, warning that a split in the Muslim vote would cost the community its political voice.

He urged the public to back Dr Shakeel Ahmed Khan, describing him as an educated, courageous, and visionary leader. “Shakeel Sahab is not just the Congress Legislative Party leader of Bihar; he is a national-level figure who represents hope for development, education, and secular harmony,” he said.

Highlighting his concerns over MIM’s selective strategy, Shabbir Ali questioned why the party contests aggressively in states like Bihar while avoiding constituencies in Telangana where it could challenge the BJP directly. “For 54 years, the same party that could not cross the Musi River in Hyderabad suddenly wants to fight 100 seats in Bihar. Why not contest against BJP’s Raja Singh in Hyderabad? Why choose only Muslim pockets elsewhere?” he asked.

He said that such tactics expose MIM’s real agenda – to divide secular votes and disrupt the consolidation of Muslim support behind Congress and its allies. “This is not leadership; it is manipulation. Every time MIM appears in an election, BJP gains ground,” he added.

Shabbir Ali emphasised that secular unity between Congress and the RJD alliance is essential to counter communal politics. “Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav have consistently stood with Muslims in Parliament on issues like NRC, triple talaq, and minority rights. Strengthen those who have historically defended us, not those who weaken us,” he said.

He further promised that Telangana, under Congress governance, would support development initiatives in Bihar’s backward areas through educational and industrial collaborations if Dr Shakeel Ahmed Khan is elected. “We can connect resources – colleges, industries, and technical institutes – to ensure progress reaches even remote panchayats,” he said.

Appealing for unity among all communities, Shabbir Ali added, “This country belongs to both Hindus and Muslims. Our fight is to protect secular India, not divide it. Vote for the hand symbol and for leaders who can truly represent you.”

The meeting ended with slogans supporting Dr Shakeel Ahmed Khan and the Mahagathbandhan, as Shabbir Ali predicted that the RJD-Congress alliance under Tejaswi Yadav would form the next government in Bihar. (eom)