Madhya Pradesh: Senior Congress leader Arif Aqueel dies at 72
Former Madhya Pradesh minister and senior Congress leader Arif Aqueel passed away today at the age of 72.
Arif Aqueel, who had been battling a prolonged illness, breathed his last in a private hospital in Bhopal, as confirmed by family.
Aqueel, known as "Sher-e-Bhopal" (The Lion of Bhopal), was a prominent figure in Madhya Pradesh politics. His political journey began as a student activist in 1972, and he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming President of Saifia College Student Committee in 1977 and Vice President of Youth Congress and NSUI of Madhya Pradesh the same year.
In 1990, Aqueel was elected as an Independent MLA from the Bhopal North constituency, defeating senior Congress leader Rasool Ahmad Siddiqui. He joined the Congress party later and won the Bhopal North seat in the 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 Assembly polls.
However, he faced a defeat in the 1993 elections when he contested under the Janata Dal patronage.
Aqueel served as a Cabinet Minister in the Congress governments led by Digvijaya Singh (1996-2003) and Kamal Nath (2018-2020), holding key portfolios such as Minority Welfare, Bhopal Gas Rahat, and Backward Classes.
His tenure was marked by his significant contributions to the minority communities and his leadership in various capacities, including as President of the MP Hajj Committee and the Bhopal Divisional Cricket Association.
Throughout his nearly three-decade-long political career, Aqueel remained a steadfast representative of Bhopal North, often being the sole Congress victor in the region amidst BJP dominance.
His influence in Old Bhopal politics was unmatched, with his constituency often being the bastion of Congress strength in the state capital.
He is survived by his wife, Saira Aqueel, three sons, Majid, Atif, and Abid, and a daughter, Erum. Atif Aqueel is noted to be a rising young politician in Bhopal, continuing his father's legacy.
Prominent leaders, including former Chief Ministers Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath, have expressed their condolences, mourning the loss of a dedicated and influential leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the political narrative of Madhya Pradesh.
