“From Legacy to Leadership: A Candid Conversation with Congress Veteran Imran Kidwai”
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By Shahana Naqvi, Copy Edited By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO: Politics is my passion. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Imran-Ur- Rehman Kidwai, a senior Congress party leader, at his modest office in Noida. As a member of the distinguished Kidwai family from Baragaon Distt. Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Kidwai’s reputation precedes him. His impressive 47-year career includes serving under four Prime Ministers from the Congress party: Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, Mr. Narasimha Rao, and Mr. Manmohan Singh.
He was the longest serving Secretary of AICC 1993-2004, his last assignment being as Chairman of the Minority Department of AICC from 2004-2015 till he retired from active politics.
Wearing many hats to his credit, Mr. Imran Kidwai has worked with three generations of the Gandhi family including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
As I began our conversation, his deep, humble voice quickly put me at ease, allowing me to ask my questions amidst the chilly December weather.
The following excerpts are from our interview.
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Q.1 What drives your passion for politics?
Ans. My family has been active in Indian politics for over half a century. My father was co-founder of Co-operative movement in Uttar Pradesh and was one of the founding father that helped form the Co-operative Bank of Uttar Pradesh and Co-operative Land development Bank. My uncle was a freedom fighter and was MLA and MLC, brother has been MLA, elder sister in law is Mrs. Mohsina Kidwai (Minister in UP govt ), Mother-in-law was Mrs. Tajdar Babar who was Chairman of NDMC, in recent generation my daughter has worked as a Cooperator in Nizamuddin (Delhi).
Q.2 What motivated you to enter politics?
Ans. The atmosphere around me at home right from childhood revolved around Indian politics as such my interest into politics was not planned but came organically to me.
It came into existence when I was still a student in Aligarh Muslim University in 1969 and started working for the youth Congress.
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Q.3 If your party were given another chance, what measures would you take to address the shortcomings of the current ruling party?
We would focus on creating jobs, improving the economy, and making essential commodities more affordable for the common man.
Q4.What is your party’s agenda if it comes into power ?
Ans. Our priority is to uphold the principles of secularism, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. We aim to promote a flourishing India that provides equal opportunities for all citizens.
Nehru and his vision for India was farsighted than most politicians that lack that vision today. The foundation of many prestigious organizations have been laid in India under his leadership like IIT, BHEL, AIIMS etc. which churn out the best Doctors, Engineers and Professors on Indian soil.
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Q.5 What is your party’s vision for addressing the challenges faced by the opposition?
Ans. We would address pressing issues such as unemployment, rising prices, and economic stagnation, which have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Q.6 Where do you envision the Congress party in the next 4-5 years?
Ans. We aim to strengthen our connection with the citizens of India, ensuring transparency and accountability in our actions. We also plan to leverage social media platforms to counter misinformation and promote our policies.
Q.7 What is the Congress party’s stance on the shifting global landscape?
Ans. We have consistently advocated for world peace, as evident in Nehru’s Panchsheel policy and our participation in UN peacekeeping missions. Non Aligned Movement started by Indira ji had 130 member countries who would be neutral and not allied to any super power (USSR and USA ) of the world at that time.
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Q.8 Do you have any inspiring anecdotes to share with the youth of our nation?
Ans. I have been fortunate to have worked closely with the Gandhi family, and I have learned invaluable lessons from them. One particular incident that stands out is when Indira ji advised me to always maintain integrity and transparency in my actions, reminding me that ‘never lying to your leader’ is essential.
When I was still studying in AMU I used to come over to Delhi stay here and worked for the party and go back for my studies. Indira ji once enquired to me, who pays for my travel, lodging and eating expenses. She made clear to me and said, “Imran I don’t want to hear about you using corruption or unwanted means to come and stay for Congress party work in Delhi .”
One funny incident I would like to share was Nasser Kidwa (nephew of late Yasser Arafat ) a close friend was made Palestinian Ambassador in the United Nations once joked with Mrs. Sonia Gandhi that, you know “Imran and I are brothers”, she asked how?, he replied, because “he is Kidwai and I am Kidwa”.
With seasoned leaders sharing their inspiration and aspiration with all, it remains to be seen what India chooses and implements in future.
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Curated and Compiled by Humra Kidwai
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