In a surprising development ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, former Congress leader and three-term MLA Anees Ahmed has rejoined the Congress party after a brief stint with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA). Ahmed had switched to the VBA on October 28 and was set to contest from the Nagpur Central seat. However, he missed the nomination deadline by mere minutes on October 29, citing delays caused by security personnel at the election office.

Ahmed, who served as a cabinet minister when Congress was in power, was originally overlooked by the Congress for his traditional seat in North Nagpur, which has a substantial Muslim and Halba community voter base. Instead, Congress awarded the nomination to youth leader Bunty Shelke, who ran in the 2019 elections. With BJP?s Pravin Datke now contesting on behalf of the party, Congress hoped Ahmed's shift to VBA would not split votes.

Disappointed by Congress?s decision, Ahmed joined Prakash Ambedkar-led VBA, which promptly offered him a nomination for Nagpur Central. Despite his swift preparation, he failed to meet the 3 p.m. deadline on October 29. Ahmed explained, ?I reached the election office, but security delays cost me those last few minutes. By the time I was allowed in, the office had already closed.?

In a press conference held in Mumbai, Congress?s Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala officially welcomed Ahmed back into the party, noting his deep roots and loyalty to Congress. ?Ahmed has been a dedicated Congressman and a member of the Youth Congress. Though he briefly joined the VBA to contest the elections, he has returned. We?re glad to have him back,? Chennithala remarked.

Ahmed, once closely aligned with the late Congress strategist Ahmed Patel and a loyalist to the Gandhi family, returned to Congress on Saturday, November 2, reuniting with his former colleagues just as the election race heats up. This move adds an interesting twist to Nagpur?s political dynamics as Congress rallies to reclaim its influence in Maharashtra.