Maharashtra Congress pulled up by leadership over Waris Pathan

The Congress leadership in the state was reprimanded by the party’s Central leadership for supporting BJP and Shiv Sena in the suspension of AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan for saying that he wouldn’t say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ even if a knife was put to his neck. The Congress leadership in Delhi was upset as this went against the party’s secular line. It has sought an explanation from leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil on why the party supported the suspension in this case.

The state Assembly had unanimously suspended Waris Pathan on Wednesday. Incidentally, it was not the Sena or BJP, but Mr Vikhe-Patil who first moved the proposal to take strict action against the MLA. The MIM legislator was suspended for “insulting the nation” by refusing to say the slogan. However, there is no rule in the House that forces a member to say a particular slogan.

“It was surprising for us that the state leaders supported the suspension for not chanting a particular slogan. Congress believes in being secular and in freedom of speech. The state leadership has been asked for an explanation on the issue,” a senior Congress leader said, on condition of anonymity.

“The MIM has been troubling Congress in many regions by eating into Muslim votes. By supporting BJP and Shiv Sena, the state Congress is tarnishing its image among the minorities.

This is a very dangerous trend for the party in the state,” said another Congress leader. The Congress spokespersons and leaders in Delhi are finding it tough to justify the state’s decision.

“Not saying a particular slogan is a very trivial issue for us and for the Assembly also. We are more concerned about drought in our constituencies and getting help for the people. But BJP’s emphasis is on symbolism rather than resolving issues. Congress should not have supported the move,” a Congress MLA, who does not want to be named, said. An independent MLA pointed out that this was one of the rare instances where there was a display of unity in the House, something which is seriously lacking when public issues are discussed.