Ex-Union minister from Madhya Pradesh threatens to quit Cong, form new outfit

Expressing displeasure over the state of affairs in Madhya Pradesh Congress, former Union minister Aslam Sher Khan today warned he, along with other like-minded leaders, would quit the party and float a new outfit to take on the ruling BJP, if corrective measures were not taken by the central leadership by the end of this year.

"The way things are going within the Congress is disgusting. Congress men are feeling neglected as the top leadership is not listening to their genuine problems. If nothing happens by December 31, we will float a parallel Congress in the state to take on the BJP," Khan told PTI here.

Some Congress leaders in the state are apparently unhappy with the recent announcement of state party executive.

Khan, also a former Olympic hockey player, said, "Time has come for the Congress men to take a call in Madhya Pradesh if they want to give people an effective and viable alternative."

"If nothing happens by December 31, we will float a 'parallel Congress' and after discussion among the rank, we will also declare the chief ministerial candidate (for 2018 state Assembly polls) well in advance," he said.

"It is necessary to project a face as that only helps in taking on your opponent in an effective manner. Otherwise, what happens in Congress that in the absence of any face, important leaders start battling out with each other in which the party suffers," he said.

The senior leader said they will declare candidates by 2017, a year ahead of 2018 polls, for all 230 seats.

"When such a thing can happen in West Bengal, Maharashtra (referring to TMC, NCP), it can also prove a formidable alternative in Madhya Pradesh. What you need is a will, clear goal, drive and an honest intention," he said.

He claimed in many states including Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, there is strong wave prevailing in favour of launching a 'parallel Congress' to take on the saffron forces which are spreading wings under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After the Pradesh Congress Committee president announced his new team - state party executive - recently, long-serving MLA Arif Aqueel and former vice president Manak Agrawal had threatened to quit, while several others, including Khan, had staged a sit-in here.