The party has shown the way out to Aqeel Ahmed, who came into controversy over the demand for Muslim University in the Uttarakhand assembly elections. Congress has expelled him from the primary membership of the party for 6 years on the charge of breaking discipline. The party’s state general secretary Mathuradutt Joshi released the letter late last evening, saying that the image of the party has been damaged due to the continuous unrestrained statements in the media during the assembly elections. On 8 February 2022, a show cause notice was issued instructing it to stop making unrestrained statements. Despite this, there was constant rhetoric in the media, which has been taken seriously by the central leadership.
Adamant on Muslim University: Even after being expelled from the party, there has been no softening in the attitude of Aqeel Ahmed. Made a statement of expulsion that Muslim University will remain in the state. Even if they had to ask for donations for this. At the same time, about the loss being blamed on himself, he said that what statement did he give in 2017 which party lost the election. Targeting Harish Rawat, he said that the then Chief Minister of Congress had lost the assembly elections by losing two seats each.
Big issue made in assembly elections: Muslim University had become a big issue in the Uttarakhand assembly elections. Congress leader Harish Rawat had said that BJP leaders and a Congress leader are trying to malign his image. If he made any statement regarding the establishment of a Muslim University in the state, he would leave politics.
BJP accused of polarization: Aqeel Ahmed said that the demand for Muslim University was a general demand but in the elections BJP leaders polarized votes by making it an issue. Congress has not lost the election because of this issue. Only big leaders are throwing the blame on their heads to avoid taking the responsibility of defeat. He further said that he will ask for party ticket from Haridwar Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. If the party does not give ticket, he will fight as an independent.
In the recently concluded Uttarakhand Assembly elections, the BJP had won 47 out of 70 seats while the Congress had won just 19 seats.