By Mohammed Siddique, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad: Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), the most influential Muslim political party in Andhra Pradesh, has launched its campaign for the forthcoming elections with a call to Muslims to unite under one political banner to take advantage of their strength and urged Hindus to join hands of friendship.
MIM, which has set its eyes on doubling its strength in the state assembly from existing five to ten, chose Malakpet to launch the campaign. The MIM President and Member of Lok Sabha Asaduddin Owaisi said that the MIM was confident of wresting the Malakpet constituency and the target can be achieved only if Muslims remain united and demonstrate their strength in the next elections.
What has boosted the confidence of the MIM to win more number of seats is that the delimitation of the assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in the state has changed the demographic map of many segments in Hyderabad in favor of Muslims. Earlier Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency had three rural assembly segments of Ranga Reddy district but after the delimitation, Hyderabad has become a hundred percent urban Parliamentary constituency. As the ratio of Muslim electorate in this Lok Sabha constituency has gone up to 70%, MIM is confident that it has become even more secure fortress. MIM has been winning the Hyderabad seat since 1984 without any break. Though the TDP-Left alliance is planning to field a Muslim candidate, the MIM is confident of retaining the seat. In all the elections it defeated the BJP in a direct fight.
The MIM, which at present holds five assembly seats, is hoping to bag some newly created seats like Sayeedabad, Nampally and Banjara Hills.
Addressing the rallies in Malakpet and Sabzimandi, Asaduddin Owaisi tried to woo the Hindu community by asserting that MIM was not an anti-Hindu party. “Majlis is definitely a representative of Muslim community but it is a secular party which never neglected the problems of Dalit and other secular sections of Hindu community”.
Taking strong objections to the allegations that the old city of Hyderabad had become a den of terrorists, he said, “Old city is home not only to 60% Muslims but also to 40% Hindus. Are those making such allegations trying to say that even these Hindus are terrorists,” he asked.
He underlined that whenever the MIM got an opportunity it sent Hindus as its members to different bodies. “In 1960, a Dalit candidate of MIM was elected to the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad. In 1986 when MIM won the MCH, it made a non-Muslim as it first mayor.
“Hindu brothers who stay away from MIM thinking it to be their enemy are committing mistake. Once you accept our hand of friendship and then see how we prove our friendship with you”, he said.
He urged the people to ensure their names are listed in the electoral rolls and they are provided with the photo identity cards. “It will not only enable you to cast your vote but it will also be the proof of your citizenship”, he said.