Congress MLA Zeeshan approaches Sonia, Rahul Gandhi against MRCC chief Jagtap

Bhai Jagtap and Zeeshan Siddique

Congress's youngest legislator in the state, Zeeshan Siddique has dashed off letters to the party's top leadership - Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi - on Tuesday, complaining against Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Bhai Jagtap. He has accused the senior of obstructing his work in the Bandra East constituency, and encouraging leaders, who were suspended for working against him in the 2019 elections.

People close to him said that in the letters he has mentioned that he was elected as the president of the Mumbai youth wing last December, but till date his election hasn't been announced officially. The leader he had defeated in the youth elections has been promoted in the MRCC and given an important post, and encouraged to work against the sitting MLA in Bandra East. The letters further say that Zeeshan's supporters have not been included in the city unit.

He also wrote that the party had suspended 12 leaders in Bandra East for anti-party activities in the 2019 Assembly elections. They were reinstated later, and promoted in the MRCC by the president. "One of them had contested the youth polls against Zeeshan. He was supported by Jagtap, who told workers to vote only for him or face consequences," said a leader close to Zeeshan, adding that the latter was upset recently when he was not invited to the party function in Bandra East. Minister Satej Patil, Jagtap and his intra-party opponent attended it. Zeeshan has written about this function as well, blaming Jagtap for not following the protocol.

Misleading, says Jagtap

Jagtap said the Congress was democratic and, unlike others, allows everyone to express their views with the top leadership. "Zeeshan is the youngest MLA. I'm proud of him and his work during the pandemic. I have always appreciated him. He has marked me on the said letter, and I must say that the contents are misleading," he said, adding that he will file his reply whenever asked for it.

Clarifying the protocol allegations, Jagtap said the Bandra East function was organised by the national youth wing. "It is an internal issue in the youth Congress. The organisers decide the guests, I don't. I went there because it's my duty to encourage whoever works for the party and the people," said the MRCC president.

Jagtap questioned Zeeshan's zest for following the protocol, especially of the MRCC. "I don't remember an instance in which he has followed protocol ever since I took charge six months ago. I have advised him to be serious about organisational matters and protocol. When you talk about protocol, it should be reciprocal," he added. About the allegations of encouraging certain youth leaders, Jagtap said the party had suspended them on the basis of Zeeshan's complaint. "The party reinstated them after hearing their side. These are the youth leaders who started working for the Congress much before Zeeshan came into the picture. They were also given posts in the organisations. The matter is over for the party, though they may still be opponents for the MLA," said Jagtap.