Southern States
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Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad
Pedestrianisation is the key issue
By J.S. Ifthekhar
HYDERABAD, DEC. 11. The Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP) is likely to be a major issue in the ensuing elections to the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH). It can make or mar electoral fortunes of candidates in the Charminar Assembly constituency, which has nine municipal divisions.
Ever since the announcement of the CPP, the business community particularly has taken up cudgels against it. They see in it a direct threat to their interest. The economy of the Old City is commercial based, with more than 90 per cent of the residents running some trade or the other in and around Charminar. ``Once the entire stretch from Madina to Charminar is fully pedestrianised, who will come to shop here,'' says Majid, a textile dealer, echoing the views of many others.
The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), which holds absolute sway over the constituency, has decided to champion the cause of the Patharghatti shopkeepers. The party is opposed to the CPP in its entirety.
``We are for protection of the monument, but at the same time the economy of the Old City should not be affected. Pedestrianisation will bring nothing but misery,'' says Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi, Charminar MLA.
Mr. Sandeep of Tibarumal Group, who runs a jewellery shop at Patharghatti, too feels that the CPP will be a problem to both residents and traders. The Majlis is expected to play up the fears of the shopkeepers and reap electoral gains.
In all, there are nine divisions in the constituency. They are Charminar, Tadbun, Doodhbowli, Husainialam, Jahannuma, Chandulal Baradari, Khazipura, Gulzar Hauz and Puranapul. Except the last two, the Majlis won all the divisions in 1986, when the poll was last held to the Corporation.
The constituency has been a pocket borough of the Majlis, with the latter maintaining its hold on it since 1960s. The party feels winning all the nine wards will be a cake walk for it. The Congress and TDP do not have much of a presence here. Only the BJP and MBT can pose some challenge. The contest is expected to be mainly between the Majlis, MBT and BJP.
As per the 1991 census, the population in the Charminar division is 33,455, Doodhbowli 27,231, Tadbun 35,607, Purnapul 28,464, Husainialam 32,114, Jahanuma 34,029, Chandulal Baradari 28,804, Qazipura 22,198 and Gulzar Houze (earlier Charmahal) 33,495.
What are the problems afflicting these divisions? Drinking water scarcity and rusted sewerage lines is a big problem. Voltage fluctuation is also a major irritant. The large scale raids by the A.P. Transco against power pilferation is a sore point with the residents. The Majlis has been vociferously protesting against the raids and this may benefit its candidates in the civic poll.
Most of the schools in the Old City lack infrastructure, a point which is brought to the notice of the authorities to no avail.
Mr. Asaduddin, who has been nursing the constituency for the last six and half years, feels the work done by him should benefit the party. ``Works costing more than Rs. 8 crores have been implemented in the constituency,'' he says.
The former Mayor, Mr. Mir Zulfekhar Ali, is sure the Majlis will make a clean sweep of all the divisions.
Mr. Anjankumar Yadav, president, City Congress Committee, feels his party has a better chance to capture the wards in the Charminar Assembly segment. People are disenchanted with the Majlis and the BJP for their communal politics and partisan interest, he feels.
The MBT, which has been severely mauled by the Majlis in Assembly elections, has decided to contest maximum number of divisions and also the Mayoral post. ``We are holding public meetings for the last two months,'' says Mr. Amanullah Khan, MBT president. He is willing to throw in his weight with the TRS and TSS if these parties approach him.
The BJP is strong only in two divisions - Gulzar Houze and Purnapul. ``We are confident of putting up a better show, as we are sincere about developing the Old City,'' says the BJP city unit president, Mr. C. Ramachandra Reddy.
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