By TwoCircles.net news desk
Hyderabad-based Full time social worker Aariz Mohammad is in the fray for Nizamabad (Andhra Pradesh) Lok Sabha seat for the first time. He is the only Muslim candidate in the constituency where Muslims are about 20%.
Media is abuzz with candidates with assets worth of crores of rupees, Aariz Mohammed has a total of Rs. 16,554 in savings according to his affidavit. He is sure he won’t win but moving in dusty villages from early morning to around midnight just to mobilize the community and make them aware of the anti-minority approach of the Congress government both at the centre and state.
Name: Aariz Mohammad.
Party: I am not attached to any political party. I am contesting the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate.
Constituency: Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat which is being represented in the current Lok Sabha by Madhu Yaskhi Goud of Congress party. Of 13,33,324 electors around 2.25 lakh are Muslims. Voting will take place on April 16.
Profession: Full time social activist. Head of Center for Minorities’ Empowerment.
Education: Graduate in Sociology.
Achievements: We have made successful advocacy for Muslim reservation in Andhra Pradesh, anti-communal riots law and constitution of Ranganath Mishra Commission.
Reasons for going into politics: I have not jumped into politics. My current Lok Sabha campaign is just an extension of my advocacy campaign. I am contesting just to make aware of and unite minorities against the anti-minority approach of Congress party.
Issues that are important: I am taking only national issues in my campaign. They include discrimination against minorities, improper implementation of Sachar Committee report and non-tabling of Ranganath Mishra Commission in the Parliament. Besides minority witch hunting in the name of terrorism both in the state and nationwide is also a big issue. In the last session of the 14th Lok Sabha, the Congress-led UPA passed a bill repealing the National Commission for Minorities. By doing this Congress wants to tell the minorities it does not need their support anymore. When the bill was sent to the Rajya Sabha, it sent it to a select committee.
What do you intend to do after winning the election: Frankly speaking, I am not going to win. I am mobilizing minorities against the Congress for two purposes: to warn the party about the impact of the anger of minorities and to strengthen the non-Congress secular forces.