BJP's Raja Singh may take on MIM in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The BJP is likely to field its controversial MLA T. Raja Singh against the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Mus-limeen from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections. The MIM never lost this seat since 1984. Mr Singh, who won the 2014 assembly elections from Goshamal constituency, has been courting controversies frequently with his inflammatory speeches.

The BJP's national leadership is searching for a strong candidate to take on the MIM in Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat in 2019, which remains the party's bastion. Sources in the BJP said that its national president Amit Shah, during his trip to Hyderabad in July, discussed the issue with state party leaders and was in favour of fielding Mr Singh for Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat. Mr Shah also had a personal meeting with Mr Raja Singh on that occasion.

Mr Shah is very serious about Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat and wants to field a strong candidate to challenge MIM in its own bastion in 2019, party sources said.  Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Shah to contest from Hyderabad. The BJP had given a tough fight to the MIM in 1996 when Mr M. Venkaiah contested from the set and later it was repeated by Baddam Balreddy. After that, the BJP lost its foothold on Hyderabad seat and now searching for a strong candidate for the seat.