Saffron Vs Green: Congress Stuck In Between?

At a time when the Maharashtra election results have triggered a green vs saffron debate across the country, an uncomfortable question is now confronting the Congress. Is the grand old party-which routinely accuses the BJP and AIMIM of practising communal politics-actually responsible for facilitating the growth of AIMIM in the country?

Notably, this allegation is not being made by political rivals, but by Congress insiders themselves. In just the last week, three prominent Muslim voices associated with the Congress have raised a banner of revolt against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of ignoring Muslim issues and sidelining Muslim leadership within the party. They argue that this failure has created political space for Asaduddin Owaisi to emerge as a growing force in national politics.

Following the Bihar elections and the Maharashtra municipal body polls, AIMIM has increasingly asserted its claim over the decisive Muslim vote. This was evident in the viral remarks of an AIMIM corporator from Mumbra in Thane, who claimed that the area would soon be "painted green." While she initially appeared apologetic after a police case was filed against her, she later backtracked and went a step further.

Now, AIMIM leaders have issued statements threatening to "paint not just Maharashtra, but all of India green," setting the stage for yet another vicious political face-off with the BJP.