HYDERABAD: Akbaruddin Owaisi’s health is stopping him from going on paidal dauras, but that shouldn’t be an issue for the AIMIM strongman. His opponents have held massive campaigns in Chandrayangutta but failed to field strong candidates. Akbaruddin, the four-time MLA from the area, will face BJP’s Syed Shahzadi and Congress’ former Mr Universe finalist Esa Bin Obaid Misri.
A majority of residents
Express spoke to said they would not prefer BJP due to its ‘communal leanings’. “This is a Muslim dominated area, there is no chance for a BJP candidate to win in here,” says Abid, a resident of Hafeez Baba Nagar. The Congress candidate, on the other hand, lacks political experience.
Shahzadi, an ABVP member and an alumni of Osmania University, is banking on women to vote for her. She is hoping that the Centre’s triple talaq verdict would swing the results in her favour. “I want to improve the education scenario here,” she says. “There are schools with no teachers and shortage of safe water and drainage facilities in our area.”
Shahzadi claims she also wants to “resume the Metro works” in Old City. She claims AIMIM never conducted all-women meetings till the saffron party announced her name as the candidate. “It’s a good thing that my candidacy has forced them to do something good in the Old City,” she says.
Convened by Asaddudin Owaisi, various issues are discussed in the all-women meeting, ranging from distribution of sewing machines to paying pensions to widows. Fatima, a Bandlaguda resident says: “No one else has conducted such meetings for women in the past. Its good to see parties concentrating on our issues.”
Shahzadi dismisses questions about her association with a party that is considered to have “Hindu leanings.”
She says she is aware of the presumptions. “But, people accept me wholeheartedly and it’s time for change.” Meanwhile, Congress contestant Misri is being considered as a soft candidate. Many claim Misri earlier supported AIMIM. “Its all over social media, you can check,” says Faheem, another resident of Hafeez Baba nagar. But, Misri denies those allegations.
“Yes, I have voted for MIM in the past as there were no other strong candidates, but I was never part of any other political party.”
Misri says that like others, he too was duped by MIM. “They have not done anything in the last 20 years.” Misri has promised to resolve the water crisis in the area.
“I am not going around campaigning with dhol-baaza. I just go with my nephew and two other supporters and talk to people.”