Nizamabab: Congress cadre is anxious about the elevation of party senior leader Mohammad Ali Shabbir in the new government to be led by Revanth Reddy. Due to the changed political equations, Shabbir Ali contested from Nizamabad Urban Assembly constituency, but was defeated by BJP candidate Dhanpal Suryanarayana Gupta.
Being a senior leader from the minority community, Shabbir Ali may be given a key position in the government, his followers believe.
Shabbir Ali served as minister in the Cabinets of then Chief Ministers Marri Channa Reddy, Nedurumilli Janardhan Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy and Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy in the united Andhra Pradesh. After his subsequent defeat in the 2009 general elections and 2010 byelections, the Congress nominated him as MLC and served as leader of the opposition.
Following the contest by TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy from Kamareddy Assembly constituency, Shabbir Ali forced to shift to the Nizamabad Urban segment, where he lost. Interestingly, Shabbir Ali has been maintaining a close rapport with Revanth Reddy for a long time and is expected to be inducted into the Cabinet as MLC. Congress high command may choose him for the post as there are two MLC posts vacant under the Governor’s quota.
For a few decades, at least one Muslim leader has been given a place in all Cabinets of United AP and the Telangana state. All three Muslim leaders contested in the Assembly elections lost and Shabbir may be picked up for the top position considering his seniority and loyalty to the party. The party scores are hoping that the tradition of a leader from the undivided Nizamabad district getting a most coveted post in the government will be continued.
