Congress in crisis: Ex-MP Shakeel Ahmad claims threat to life after calling Rahul Gandhi ‘coward’

In a blistering attack on the Congress high command, former Congress MP Dr Shakeel Ahmad has claimed that “Rahul Gandhi’s vision will end the Congress,” days after alleging threats to his life following his public criticism of the party’s leadership. 

The former Bihar MP said he was facing an imminent threat after branding Gandhi a “darpok” (coward) and an insecure, dictatorial politician.

Ahmad alleged that party workers had been instructed to target his residences in Patna and Madhubani on Tuesday under the guise of effigy-burning protests — a move he warned could spiral into violence.

Taking to social media platform X, Ahmad claimed he was “secretly informed” by current Congress leaders about the alleged plan, which he said originated from the party’s national leadership.

He also shared screenshots of purported WhatsApp messages calling for protests against him, calling the move “anti-democratic” and reflective of growing intolerance within the party.

Ahmad, a three-time MLA and two-term MP from Bihar, resigned from the Congress after the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, citing erosion of internal democracy and leadership arrogance.

He has since accused Gandhi of systematically sidelining senior leaders with independent political standing while promoting loyalists, thereby suppressing dissent.

“Rahul Gandhi is uncomfortable with strong voices. His leadership thrives on insecurity and obedience,” Ahmad said, reiterating that such a leadership style would ultimately “finish the Congress.”

The Congress has not issued an official response to Ahmad’s allegations as of publication.

Political Slugfest Erupts

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly seized on the controversy, projecting Ahmad’s claims as evidence of an internal rebellion against Rahul Gandhi.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress leader of running the party with an “Emergency mindset” and labelled the episode proof of authoritarianism within the opposition camp.

Congress Pushback

Congress leaders hit back sharply, dismissing Ahmad as a disgruntled former leader seeking relevance. Lok Sabha whip Manickam Tagore branded him a “Jaichand,” accusing him of betraying the party for political mileage.

Senior leader Rashid Alvi, however, acknowledged that the lack of internal communication channels had long frustrated dissenting voices within the party.

With allegations of threats, charges of dictatorship, and open rebellion now in the public domain, the episode has thrown the Congress’s internal cohesion, and Gandhi’s leadership under an unforgiving spotlight.