The preparations for the assembly elections have intensified in Haryana. Along with this, candidates and workers of all parties have started campaigning in their areas. Congress has released the list of all its candidates. The name of current MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition Aftab Ahmed from Nuh assembly seat is also included in this list. He has also worked as the Minister of Transport, Tourism, Printing and Stationery in the Haryana Government. Along with this, MLA Ahmed has also worked as the Vice President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee.
Congress leader Aftab Ahmed was born to Khurshid Ahmed and Firdos Begum. He has two brothers and a sister. His father was elected Member of Legislative Assembly from Punjab in 1962. He was elected from Nuh Assembly in 1968, from Taoru Assembly in 1977 and again from Nuh Assembly in 1987 and 1996. His father served as Cabinet Minister thrice in Haryana Government and was later elected MP of Lok Sabha in by-elections. His grandfather Choudhary Kabir Ahmed was elected Member of Legislative Assembly from Nuh Assembly, Haryana in 1975 and from Taoru Assembly, Haryana in 1982.
Congress candidate Aftab Ahmed started his political career from Taoru in 1991 and was inducted into the cabinet as Transport Minister in 2013. He has served the Indian National Congress at the organisational level in various capacities and has also served as the Chief Whip of the Congress Legislative Party. Apart from this, he was also the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the last Assembly of Haryana.
There is also an allegation of inciting riots
The 1993 Mewat riots in the southern region of Gurgaon district (modern Nuh district) of Haryana erupted following the demolition of the Babri Masjid, leading to violence between the Meo Muslim community and Hindus of the region. The unrest began on 7 December 1992, when rumours spread that Hindus in Nuh were celebrating the demolition of the mosque, leading to Muslim mobs attacking Hindu temples in Nuh, Punhana and Pinangwan. The violence, reportedly instigated by Aftab’s father Khurshid Ahmad, involved hired youths who vandalised and burned temples and even committed atrocities such as burning a cow alive.
The delayed police action escalated the tension, resulting in indiscriminate raids and alleged abuse against the Meo community, causing many villagers to flee their homes. Tayyab Hussain and his son Zakir Hussain, who was an MLA from the neighbouring Taoru constituency, were also implicated by some in the Muslim community. They were political rivals of Khurshid Ahmed and Aftab Ahmed and were accused of taking advantage of the situation to expand their influence among the Meos. Politician Aftab Ahmed and his father Khurshid Ahmed were accused of inciting the riots and went into hiding.
