The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Vote for development of city: Owaisi

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Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Vote for development of city: Owaisi

Special Correspondent

‘2,000-cr. package for old city development at the behest of Majlis’

- PHOTO: P.V.SIVAKUMAR

All set: Asaduddin Owaisi, MP and president of AIMIM, and Akbaruddin Owaisi at Dar-us-Salam before close of the campaign on Saturday.

Hyderabad: The victory of Majlis in GHMC polls would be the victory of secularism. It would signal the end of communal forces like BJP in the city, said Majlis president, Asaduddin Owaisi.

Addressing a well attended public meeting at Dar-us-Salam on the last day of the campaigning on Saturday, he asserted that Majlis would emerge as the largest party after elections and it would have its Mayor elected.

He criticised the BJP for trying to garner the Hindu votes by terming the Majlis as a communal party. He wanted to know who did the blasts in Malegaon and other BJP ruled states and from where did Sadhvi Pragya drew inspiration. The BJP had no policy or programme except to indulge in Majlis bashing.

Mr. Asaduddin also came down heavily on the Telugu Desam and said it had lost its secular character. Its leader, N. Chandrababu Naidu, was busy spreading the canard that Majlis was against development. The Majlis had plans to seek greater funds for development of the city. The State and Central government got Rs. 40,000 crore revenue from the twin cities and what was spent for its development was marginal. The Majlis would pressurise the government for greater devolution of taxes. Likewise it would ensure setting up of a 2000 MW power plant for the city to address the power problems, Mr. Asaduddin said.

He said the Majlis had begun its political innings through the first municipal elections held in 1960 and urged people to vote for the party candidates for development of the city.

Earlier, Majlis candidates came in rallies from different parts of the city to Dar-us-Salam where the last election meeting was held. Party MLAs also spoke and urged the workers to ensure maximum voter turn out on the polling day.

In a long winding speech, Akbaruddin Owaisi, Majlis floor leader in Assembly, said the government had created Greater Hyderabad to stop the growing influence of Majlis. But the party would prove everyone wrong and emerge as the biggest winner. He recounted in detail how the late Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi had worked to restore the morale of the Muslims after the end of the Asafjahi rule.

Amidst loud cheers, Mr. Akbaruddin said government had announced the Rs. 2,000 crore package for old city development at the behest of Majlis. He also claimed credit for the fee reimbursement for minority students, Fab City and International Airport.

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