HYDERABAD: MIM MP from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi was once again allegedly involved in an ‘attack’ on a polling agent during the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections held amid tight security on Monday.
Sporadic incidents marred the elections as supporters belonging to different political parties clashed with each other alleging poll-related malpractices by the other.
Tension prevailed in certain areas of the Old City as supporters of rival parties clashed with each other keeping the police on their toes throughout the day.
In Vattepally of Ward No 57 (Shivrampally), Asaduddin Owaisi reportedly dragged out a polling agent belonging to an Independent candidate (MIM rebel candidate), Syed Haji alias Haji Baba, alleging that the agent was threatening voters.
Owaisi, who rode a twowheeler in the Old City monitoring the poll process, reportedly forced the polling agent, Zafar, to get into a four-wheeler belonging to his supporter and took him away. Zafar was later freed. Police, however, said there was no complaint or case against the MP. Asaduddin, for his part, denied his involvement in the attack.
The MP, incidentally, was involved in an attack on a polling agent of rival party during the general election held in April- May 2009.
Tension prevailed in parts of Azampura, Noor Khan Bazar and Chanchalguda as activists of MIM and Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) clashed with each other.
It all started with MBT candidat e f rom Azampura, Amjedullah Khan’s father-inlaw, Sardar Ali Khan, went to a polling booth at Alhaj Anwaruddin Khan Community Hall in Chanchalguda. Rival MIM candidate, Aslam Khan’s cousin, Ahsanullah Khan, too reached there at the same time and both got involved in a wordy duel. Ahsanullah Khan slapped Sardar Ali Khan and both of them came to near blows leading to tension. Police reached the spot and dispersed the groups.
In Puranapul, MIM contestant Sri Latha’s husband, Raj Mohan, beat up a BJP polling agent, Mahender, and also threatened the presiding officer, Rama Devi. BJP workers staged a dharna in front of the Hussaini Alam police station demanding action against Raj Mohan. “Cases have been registered against Raj Mohan and investigation is on,” South Zone DCP Manish Kumar Sinha said.
In Yakutpura, MIM contestant Khaja Bilal Ahmed slapped a relative of TDP contestant for moving in the area leading to tension.
Praja Rajyam and Congress workers clashed with each other at Asif Nagar while polling was stopped for some time in Kurmaguda after the candidates of TDP and BJP entered into an agrgument with polling staff.
In Panjesha, the vehicle of Mohsin Balala, the MIM candidate and brother of Malakpet legislator Syed Ahmed Balala, was attacked by TDP cadre.
Mirchowk police registered a case and are investigating.
On information, police seized Rs 1,000 from BJP contestant from Mehdipatnam ward, B Prakash, while he was moving in a vehicle.
Similar clashes were reported from the outskirts of the city but police said no cases were registered and the clashing groups were dispersed.
Meanwhile, Secunderabad Cantonment MLA Shankar Rao had to face embarassing moments after a sub-inspector of police, Venkatesh, stopped him while he was entering the polling booth at Kasturba College in West Marredpally to cast his vote. The MLA pulled up the SI for his failure to recognise a legislator and asking him to show his identity proof.
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