Bengaluru, Dec 13: Even as the ruling Congress in Karnataka has been trying to Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), snatching Muslim votes in 2018 assembly polls, Hyderabad’s influential politician Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has decided to enter the poll fray in the state.
AIMIM, which has been eyeing Muslim votes across the country, is capable of eating into the Congress’ traditional Muslim vote base. Political observers believe that such a development would help Bharatiya Janata Party to win the polls.
Meanwhile, the Congress, which had reportedly reached a secret pact with JD(S) and SDPI in recent Karnataka by elections and easily defeated BJP, has planned forging a similar alliance or reaching a tacit understanding with Owaisi.
According to sources, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has tasked Chamarajpet legislator B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan with this responsibility. Khan is slated to join the Congress by ditching the JD(S).
Owaisi, however, seems to be playing his cards close to the chest. While he confirmed that the ruling Congress, specifically Zameer Ahmed Khan, was attempting to reach out to him, he was not forthcoming on his party's stand on the Congress' offer.
"Zameer Ahmed Khan had sent some persons seeking a meeting with me," Owaisi, who represents Hyderabad in the Lok Sabha revealed. He said his party was yet to decide the number of seats it will contest in the upcoming election. "Our state unit headed by Usman Ghani is working everything out. Our leaders are holding discussions to identify segments where we should field candidates," he said.
The firebrand leader is also miffed with Khan. "All these days, Khan was critical of me. I have seen videos of him censuring me. But, he wants to meet me now that he's moving to the Congress," Owaisi said. "I told people who came to me that Khan should first decide what he really wants."
Owaisi has been critical of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government for "not allowing him to address a public meeting in Karnataka."
In the 2015 BBMP elections, the AIMIM fielded 29 candidates mostly in Muslim-dominated pockets of the central, southern and northern parts of Bengaluru.
The party won 29 out of the 78 seats it contested in the recent Uttar Pradesh municipal polls. It won 11 seats in the Nanded Municipal Corporation polls in 2012 and emerged as the second-largest party in the Aurangabad civil polls with 26 seats in 2015.
Smaller parties such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) are another cause of concern for the Congress as they can potentially split Muslim votes further. The SDPI, for instance, has won 72 seats in the gram panchayat elections. It polled 15% of the votes in the BBMP elections and managed to wrest the Siddapura ward from the Congress.
There are 25-26 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka where Muslim votes are the deciding factor, according to political analyst Harish Ramaswamy. "If the AIMIM enters in a big way, coupled with smaller parties polarising votes, the Congress certainly stands to lose," he said.
Udupi, Jan 4: A 37-year-old Udupi district JD(S) spokesperson allegedly committed suicide at his residence here last night, police said on Saturday.
Comments
Mr.Sultan,
you mean to say, even though congress doesnt give you justice , you have to choose congress only? dnt show fear of BJP/RSS when election approaches, now we have strong force in karnataka to give fitting reply to RSS/BJP. lets choose such parties who are brave enough to speak infront of the oppressors..!!
Abdul samad and Abdul Ghanim,
You said, Congress did not do anything in 70yrs. Perhaps Cong took 70yrs to harm all these.
BJP did all these killings in few years, is not enough against 70yrs by congress.
How you are comparing. All minorities should join hands together and choose only 1 best party that can go for all. This is the only way you distroy corrupt ideologies of BJP.
Concentrate to ERADICATE the crazy ideology of BJP. Choose their few like minded leaders and change them. and not to destroy them.
If you slowly change them, they are for you.
Supporting congress is not the solution to defeat the ideology of RSS/BJP, if so, then every one must answer muslims voted congress since 70 years ! why they have been denied justice? whay they still face threats from RSS/BJP ?? there are many innocent muslims languishing in jail ,who is responsible ? many innocent muslims and their familys looted, raped, tortured, killed what protection congress given to them??? but the harsh reality is congress connot protect their own MP Late Ehsan Jafri!!! MUSLIM COMMUNITY DONT WAIT FOR CONGRESS, jus move on Make startegy , CREATE POLITICAL AWARNESS, ORGENISE PEOPLE, educate the people , contest the election own your own and defeat the RSS/BJP/CongRSS...!!!
Dear Zakir,
Wake up from your deep sleep, muslim must unite all the time not just when election approaches..! under congress rule muslims suffered alot specially in coastal belt being ruled by congress the communal gangs are free hand on road killing, innocent human beings. what is the use of congress??
Dear Nari
This tactics of Fear is an old one, I think your devils are not suggesting new ideas to you now.
this is a good development. more muzzi ragpickers should enter poll fray and eat into congress vote instead of doing other activities such as smuggling. Congress mukt-Karnataka is in the making. I think puku puku happening in the heart of CD editor too.. haha
SDPI is popular in karnataka than AIMIM. If SDPI and AIMIM joins together then chances of getting some seats are very high.
Muslims need to unite against communal force like BJP and sangh pariwar units for the good of the country...otherwise they will create problem for all...
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