Akbar seeks stay on further cases

The elder Owaisi said that the slapping of cases against Akbaruddin was part of a larger conspiracy of the Congress and the BJP to alienate Dalits, OBCs and minorities away from the MIM, which was trying to bring them on one platform.

Even as outrage continued to pour in from all sections against the hate speech by MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, his elder brother and party president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday defended his comments at Nirmal in Adilabad district and at Nizamabad recently.

The elder Owaisi said that the slapping of cases against Akbaruddin was part of a larger conspiracy of the Congress and the BJP to alienate Dalits, OBCs and minorities away from the MIM, which was trying to bring them on one platform.

In a day of quick developments, Akbaruddin, who arrived in Hyderabad from London early Monday morning to a grand welcome by his supporters, filed a petition in the AP High Court seeking a stay of all further proceedings in the FIR registered by Osmania University police. When Akbaruddin arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, he was received by several party workers and MLAs, who then took out a rally escorting him amid tight police vigil.

Though he was supposed to present himself for questioning before the Nirmal police, Akbaruddin instead sent his lawyers who sought four days time for the MLA to appear before the police citing health problems. Police said they will take legal opinion on the request.

By Monday evening, a team of doctors and police officials came all the way from Adilabad and Nizamabad districts to examine Owasi’s health. They verified his medical reports and left. A tense atmosphere prevailed outside Akbaruddin’s Banjara Hills residence as several MIM workers raised slogans against the police.

Later, Warangal range IG Venkateswara Rao said the MLA would be questioned after his medical test on Tuesday as investigating officers had reported that Owaisi seemed fit enough to be questioned. Tight security was in place in and around the Owaisi’s residence throughout the day in anticipation of protests.

Meanwhile, city police are on high alert with rumours spreading thick and fast about Owaisi’s possible arrest. DGP V Dinesh Reddy said since there are several cases registered against him in various police stations, a single agency would probe the matter.

Addressing a meeting of office-bearers at the MIM office here, Asaduddin said people would see through the game plan of the Congress and the BJP and teach a fitting lesson to them. “Chandrababu Naidu, though an able administrator, bit dust in 2004 elections because of his alliance with BJP. Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is also toeing the same line, which would lead to the disintegration of the Congress,” Asaduddin said.

Recalling the ‘inflammatory speech’ delivered by Viswa Hindu Parishad leader Acharya Dharmedra at Goshamahal in Hyderabad sometime ago, he said no action was taken against him even though the MIM made a representation to the police. The comments made by the VHP leader had hurt the feelings of the minorities. Now the same police are showing enthusiasm to act against his brother, Owaisi said.

The MIM leader said that the YouTube video of Akbarduddin’s address was taken out of context to convey a feeling that he was trying to sow seeds of dissension. It was done deliberately to ensure that a wrong message went out to the people, he said, adding such attempts would not deter the MIM. “It has been proved that whenever such situations arose, the MIM did not weaken, but only grew in strength,” he said.

“It is very clear that the government is incapable of doing anything and is showing signs of weakness and fatigue. Imposing a burden of `20,000 crore on power consumers is an indication,” he said and predicted early elections in the state. “I want all of you to be prepared for elections this year itself. Ensure a huge turnout at polling stations. In fact, the voting percentage had declined from 2004 to 2009. It should be 100 percent in the next elections,” Asaduddin said.

The MIM president was also furious with the media. Coming down heavily against it, he said the media was acting as if it was judiciary and was delivering judgments. “It is acting as though it is the counsel and also the judge, and is passing verdicts. Media houses have their own agenda, which they are pursuing aggressively, unmindful of the harm it was doing to others,” Asaduddin said.

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