Amidst reports that Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) will be joining hands either with its old ally Congress, or the TRS, in the ensuing polls, party chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday ruled out any kind of electoral understanding with any political party in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking to reporters after filing nomination papers for Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat at Hyderabad collectorate here on Thursday, he said his party would go alone in the coming polls.
The announcement by the MIM chief has dashed the hopes of both Congress and TRS, which were hoping to join hands with Majlis.
This is being seen as not a good development for Congress as it is facing the serious threat of decimation at the hands of YSR Congress in Seemandhra and TRS in Telangana. Loss of Muslim support can mean big trouble for the party in the ensuing elections.
The MIM ended its alliance with the Congress about two years ago over the issue of Bhagyalakshmi Temple near Charminar. The party launched a full-scale attack against the then chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and also the Congress party. Their relations strained further after Akbaruddin Owaisi was arrested in the hate speech case.
The MIM has already announced candidates for seven Assembly constituencies in Hyderabad. Traditionally, the MIM has been known to pursue the policy of having a working and friendly relationship with any ruling party in the state. Now, the move not to have alliance with any political party has surprised the political circle.
The party, which so far remained confined to its stronghold of Hyderabad, plans to field candidates in both Telangana and Seemandhra districts this time.
Asaduddin Owaisi, who is looking for a hat-trick from Hyderabad, said city development will be his party’s main poll agenda.
The MIM chief also assured Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad that they will have no threat to life and property.
The MIM has been winning the Hyderabad seat since 1984.