The Majlis is not unduly perturbed by the UPA government’s decision to carve out Telangana State. The party considers itself to be in a position of strength but nonetheless admits it is a ‘challenging opportunity’.
There are pockets of strength in the region which the party likes to work on.
“It all depends on how one puts across the political message,” says Majlis president Asaduddin Owaisi.
Circumspect
Though the Majlis appears to have got reconciled to the idea of bifurcation of the State, it is circumspect all the same. It feels the Centre has opened a can of worms by announcing Telangana.
“Right now we are seeing labour pangs. We don’t know whether the baby will take birth or not or will it be stillborn,” is the tongue-in-cheek remark of Mr. Owaisi.
Many Seemandhra leaders are said to be in touch with the MIM as the party has always batted for a united State. It is keeping its fingers crossed and watching the situation unfold.
Mum on Congress ties
Will it reconsider reviving ties with the Congress under the changed circumstances?
“Nothing can be said now. We will cross the bridge when we come to it,” is how Mr. Owaisi replies tactfully.
However, he hastens to add that working relationship in politics depends on many factors.
Soon after snapping ties with the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, the Majlis had vowed to carry out anti-Congress campaign across the State. However, the party doesn’t want to talk about it. “Let elections come and we will decide,” Mr. Owaisi said.
He says the same about forging ties with the YSR Congress of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy in the other State.
To go it alone?
The Majlis is waiting for the picture to get clear and the dust to settle down.
But sources say the party wants to remain a separate power centre and go it alone during 2014 elections.
The party fancies itself to be in a pretty good position in Telangana.
Party pockets
Out of the 119 Assembly constituencies in the region, in at least 36 segments Muslim voters number 20,000 plus.
Optimistic
In Adilabad there are two such segments, Nizamabad (3), Karimnagar (2), Medak (4), Ranga Reddy (7), Warangal (2), Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Khammam one each and Hyderabad all the 15 constituencies.
The Majlis has worked out the details and feels it can reap good electoral dividends as and when the elections are held.
But for the present it prefers to adopt a watch and wait policy.
