Mumbai, Nov 30 (DHNS): Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla has come out against his own party and Rahul Gandhi in particular, saying that the party has rigged the party president elections in Gandhi's favour and said that it's not an election, but a selection.

He dared Rahul Gandhi to quit his post as Congress Vice-President and fight the elections fairly as opposed to using his surname as leverage and said that he would contest in the elections if they are conducted in a fair manner. He also challenged him to a live debate on TV, saying "Will he be ready for a televised debate where we both as contestants can have a debate on what is our vision for the Congress party? We can be judged on merit, not on the surname."

Shehzad Poonawalla is the younger brother of Tehseen Poonawalla, also a Congress worker. In response to Shehzad's statements, Tehseen has publicly slammed his brother, saying that he is disassociating with him.