syed rahmat ali
The senior most Muslim leader of Congress party in Andhra Pradesh, a linguistic and much respected social personality Syed Rahmat Ali.
During his political career spanning over more than five decades, Mr. Rahmat Ali was always with Congress party and held several positions including the deputy Speaker of legislative assembly.
Rahmat Ali, who knew several languages including Arabic, Persian, Urdu, English, Telugu and Hindi, was a multi faceted personality who was associated with several social and educational organizations and institutions. He had Munshi Fazil degrees in Arabic and Persian.
Rahmat Ali, who belonged to an era when Muslims had a significant presence in Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, was elected to many positions starting from the member of Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, state legislative assembly and Rajya Sabha. Known as a very good orator and a prolific writer Rahmat Ali was deputy speaker of legislative assembly from 1974 to 1978. Earlier he was also the deputy mayor of Hyderabad city.
Elected to Rajya Sabha in 1980, he was a member of the panel of deputy chairmen in the House. Known for his simplicity and humility, Rahmat Ali also served as chairman of state Waqf Board and Urdu Academy and was member of the Senate of Osmania University, Hyderabad. A bold and brave man, he never hesitated to raise his voice on the issues concerning the problems of Muslim minority be in the party or the government.
He expired on 29 June 2009
The Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and the state Congress president D Srinivas were among the senior leaders who paid tributes to the departed leader. YSR, who sent a wreath through a representative, described his death as a big loss for the party. He recalled that Rahmat Ali was a close colleague of the former Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
D Srinivas ,Mr.K.M Arif Uddin,Mr. Asif Pasha,Mr. Zahid Ali Khan,Mr.Shabbir Ali, Mr. Lal Janpasha,Mr.Ahmed Pasha Qaudri several other party leaders urdu poets and many more visited Rahmat Ali’s residence and laid floral wreath on his body. “He had dedicated his total life to the Congress party and the people.