Patna, January 27 – In a candid interview with IANS, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad dropped a bombshell, revealing he once urged Rahul Gandhi to make temple visits a regular affair rather than limiting them to election seasons. But the Congress MP turned a deaf ear to the advice.
Ahmad’s comments come amid a brewing political storm after he publicly branded Rahul Gandhi as a timid and insecure leader, sparking outrage within party ranks. A three-time MLA and two-time MP from Bihar, Ahmad quit Congress last year post-assembly polls and has since been vocal about the leadership’s shortcomings.
He alleged that party insiders whispered to him about high command orders for attacks on his Patna and Madhubani homes under the guise of protests and effigy burnings. Security was promptly beefed up outside his Fulwari Sharif residence in Patna following these claims.
‘I advised him not to stop visiting temples after elections. He only showed up during campaigns and vanished afterward, nowhere to be seen in Bihar,’ Ahmad remarked sharply.
Escalating his attack, Ahmad pointed out Rahul’s tribute to Sitaram Kesri, who passed away 20 years ago, timed suspiciously just before Bihar elections. ‘He portrayed himself as a Janeudhari Shiv Bhakt Brahmin using AICC machinery, only to ally with Lalu and issue statements that embarrassed our own Brahmin leaders six months later.’
Ahmad stressed uplifting backward classes is vital but shouldn’t come at the expense of others. ‘Pulling down those already ahead isn’t right.’
He accused Rahul of harboring allergies to senior leaders like Shashi Tharoor and P Chidambaram, preferring to spotlight himself alone. Comparing to the Gandhi family, Ahmad praised Priyanka and Sonia for their contributions, unlike Rahul who surrounds himself with yes-men.
In meetings, youth wings like Youth Congress and NSUI are favored over seniors, he claimed. ‘Leadership thinks we’re here by family legacy; sideline us and pick their own.’ They target leaders over 55, even as Rahul turns 56 this June, weakening youth outfits in the process.
Ahmad positioned his critiques as well-wisher advice, not election ambitions. He recounted how Rahul calls seniors for chats to avoid ‘boss vibes’ – something impossible with peers who question him.
Youth Congress ‘friends’ tipped him off about Delhi orders for home attacks masked as effigy burns. ‘Burn effigies if you must, but as a Muslim, I object – you’d have to bury me, not burn.’ He questioned Rahul’s clout, saying his career hinges on Modi’s unpopularity.
Recalling his first PM Modi meet, Ahmad lauded the leader’s alertness: ‘He knew me despite my criticisms, showing true vigilance.’
As Congress eyes a comeback, Ahmad’s revelations highlight deep internal rifts threatening its revival.