Ibrahim quits Cong, keeps options open

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader and MLC C.M. Ibrahim has announced his resignation from the party and from the post of MLC for reportedly being sidelined during the selection of Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Council.

On Wednesday, AICC President Sonia Gandhi has appointed former AICC secretary and MLC B K. Hariprasad as Opposition Leader in the Upper House. Prakash Rathod was made chief whip and K Govindaraj deputy leader of the Opposition. The post had been lying vacant after the term of S.R.Patil ended on January 5.

The naming of Hariprasad has upset Ibrahim who announced his resignation here on Thursday.

“My relationship with the Congress has ended today. The grand old party did not uphold social justice at the time of selection of opposition leader in the Council. Minorities have been totally sidelined. I feel there is no point in continuing in the Congress”, Ibrahim said.

In his typical style, the former minister quipped that when Corona cases are declining, the virus has gripped the Congress after the Mekedatu padayatra. “I don’t know if my ‘dose’ will treat the virus in the Congress. Let’s wait and see. Since morning, I am getting calls from the TMC, Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal. I may not have money and muscle power but I have people on my side. I will go to the people’s court and seek justice. ”.

Ibrahim said all minority leaders felt they were being sidelined but were unable to protest. Taking a dig at Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, he said the career of the former CM would have ended had he not contested from Badami in 2018.