Telangana - Congress Muslim leaders upset over Hyderabad seat given to ‘outsider’
A number of Muslim leaders within the congress are not very pleased with the party's choice of the candidate for the hyderabad lok sabha seat. Following a meeting earlier this week, the party's central leadership selected supreme court attorney Shahnaz Tabassum to challenge All india Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) mp Asaduddin Owaisi, the current member of parliament.
But telangana congress unit minority leaders are upset with their party for not considering its senior leaders for the position. Tabassum is an active member of the indian supreme court legal community. In addition, she founded the All india Azaad congress party and serves as its national president.
But telangana congress unit minority leaders are upset with their party for not considering its senior leaders for the position. Tabassum is an active member of the indian supreme court legal community. In addition, she founded the All india Azaad congress party and serves as its national president.
"Now that the AIMIM is on revanth Reddy's side, he can focus on getting Muslim votes and enjoying a smooth ride." Everyone is aware of the party's amicable relations with Owaisi. But what about those who have been employed by the party for several decades or even longer? Although Shahnaz Tabassum is a well-respected attorney, she is a stranger. She won't be able to fight, much less prevail," a senior congress Muslim figure who wished to remain anonymous said.
‘Congress minority cell neglected’
According to a different Muslim official in the telangana Pradesh congress Committee (TPCC), the party has also essentially abandoned the monitory cell. "Even though the lok sabha election dates are known, all district committee chairmen are still awaiting orders. It is not shocking that they gave the seat to an outsider because our minority cell itself is no longer in operation, he told india Herald.
It should be recalled that Sheikh Abdullah Sohail, the former chairman of the Congress' minority cell, departed and joined the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) prior to the assembly election of last year, leaving the cell without a leader. Then, he had said that the establishment party had neglected to consider Muslim issues. As of now, his job has not been filled.
Congress going soft on AIMIM?
Prior to this, a top member of the tpcc had acknowledged that the party was attempting to maintain good relations with the AIMIM and would not be fielding a strong candidate for the hyderabad seat. Given that the AIMIM and the main opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had been in "friendly" ties, this was a remarkable development.
Owaisi has even publicly urged Muslims in the state to support the BRS in the past. The congress minority leader stated, "The issue is that the congress does not have its own Muslim leadership in the state."
Owaisi has even publicly urged Muslims in the state to support the BRS in the past. The congress minority leader stated, "The issue is that the congress does not have its own Muslim leadership in the state."
Given that Owaisi has turned into a scathing opponent of the establishment party, the congress first signaled that it may challenge the AIMIM after winning the assembly elections last year. In fact, the congress hinted that it would want to back MBT for the hyderabad lok sabha seat after MBT leader Amjadullah Khan almost defeated the AIMIM in last year's assembly elections for the Yakutpura assembly seat. Amjadullah Khan was defeated by just 878 votes for the seat.
But that proposal has also been abandoned. Since we are in power, we ought to easily receive one lakh votes, and Owaisi would have data-faced stiff opposition from a formidable Muslim opponent. But it's obvious that the party isn't interested in it," the minority leader stated. There are seventeen lok sabha seats in telangana, and the AIMIM has been the winner of hyderabad since 1984.
Owaisi received almost five lakh votes in 2019, with his nearest bjp rival receiving 2.35 lakh votes.
Owaisi received almost five lakh votes in 2019, with his nearest bjp rival receiving 2.35 lakh votes.