Former Union Minister Shakeel Ahmad Resigns from Congress Following Bihar Assembly Elections

Patna:

Former Union Minister Dr. Shakeel Ahmad has announced his resignation from the Congress party immediately following the conclusion of the Bihar Assembly elections. Ahmad deliberately timed his departure until after the polls closed to ensure it would not negatively impact the party's electoral performance.

In his formal resignation letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Ahmad expressed that he was resigning from the party's primary membership with considerable regret and emotion.

"Although I had made my decision to resign earlier, I purposely waited until after the voting process was complete. I didn't want to send any negative signals before the elections or potentially cause the party to lose even a handful of votes due to my actions," he explained.

Ahmad, who has served five terms as both MLA and MP, clarified that his resignation stemmed from personal disagreements with certain individuals within the party's leadership structure rather than any ideological differences with the Congress itself.

"My departure should not be interpreted as an intention to join any other political organization or faction. I have absolutely no plans to do so. Like my forebears, I maintain unwavering commitment to the core principles and policies of the Congress, and will continue supporting those values throughout my life. My final vote will always be cast in favor of the Congress," he affirmed.

The seasoned politician highlighted his family's deep-rooted connection with the Congress, mentioning that his grandfather, Ahmed Ghafoor, was elected as a Congress MLA in 1937, while his father, Shakur Ahmed, served five consecutive terms as a Congress MLA between 1952 and 1977.

Ahmad revealed that he had previously communicated to the party through correspondence dated April 16, 2023, his decision not to contest any future elections. He added that his sons, who are settled in Canada, have no political ambitions.

Despite his resignation, Ahmad expressed optimism for the party's electoral prospects, stating, "Though health issues prevented me from participating in the campaign activities, I remain hopeful that the Congress will increase its representation and our alliance will establish a robust government."

He concluded his resignation letter by emphasizing that while he had differences with certain individuals currently holding influence within the party, his belief in the foundational policies and principles of the Congress remains steadfast and unaltered.