HYDERABAD: Taking a cue from BC leaders, who are raising their pitch for a higher share of seats in the Assembly elections, minorities, who constitute 12.69 percent of the state’s population, are seeking a piece of the pie in the ensuing Assembly polls.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, senior Congress leader Shabbir Ali said, “Muslims will also get their due this time along with more seats for BCs. It has also been decided to help the financially weak candidates in their electioneering.”
Mohammad Javed, a contender from Khammam, said “With Muslims constituting 45,000 voters in a constituency of 3,11,000 voters makes me a better contender. While there are 50,000 Chowdharys, many of them have migrated to other countries. My winning prospects are bright.”
Former DCC president of Mahabubnagar, Obaidullah Kotwal, says that with his 12-year tenure, he has been the longest serving person in the post.
“We met AICC in-charge Manikrao Thakre who assured us that we would get a good number of seats this time around. The Congress party gained in Karnataka from Muslim vote as they voted en masse against the BJP. The party won 15 Assembly seats and made a Muslim the speaker and gave two ministerial berths. The promise to retain the four percent Muslim reservation also helped the party consolidate its votes.”
Taher Bin Hamdan, TPCC vice-president from Nizamabad, says he is seeking a seat from Nizamabad urban. “My loyalty of 46 years should be rewarded. I was given a ticket in 1985, 1994 and 2018. I will work for the party even if it is given to someone else. However, I am seeking the ticket this time.”
But not all of them are hopeful about being accommodated.
Feroz Khan, an aspirant from Nampally, says, “Bogus votes in the Old City are being used to defeat us. The AIMIM benefits from such votes. Instead of giving us ticket only in the Old City we should be fielded in Khairtabad, Musheerabad, Jubilee Hills, Amberpet, Mahaboobnagar, Warangal and Khammam. We can win in these seats given a chance.
