With the bifurcation of the State, the Majlis feels its arch enemy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will emerge stronger in Telangana in the long run. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) will lose political ground and merge with the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) too will get weakened.
The political space left by these two parties would be occupied by the BJP. “I have been telling that the BJP is going to be the political beneficiary in the event of bifurcation and I stand by it,” said Majlis president Asaduddin Owaisi.
He told presspersons on Wednesday that the Majlis would also try to improve its base in Telangana. The party had already achieved victories in the panchayat polls. The Majlis had its units across the State and now the party would have two bodies in the two States.
Mr. Owaisi sought reservation for Muslims in both States. Likewise, the increased minority budget should be continued in the other State as well.
He further sought first official language status to Urdu in Telangana and continuation of the second official language status in the other State. Asked whether his party would revive ties with the Congress in the changed circumstances, Mr. Owaisi remarked, “I don’t see any possibility right now.” However, he hastened to add, “We will see when the time comes,” when asked about the Majlis support to the Congress to gain simple majority of 60 seats in Telangana State.
The Majlis leader, however, opposed sharing of resources and wanted clarity on the matter.
Hyderabad contributed Rs. 80,000 crore by way of taxes to the State and Central governments.
How the city would be developed if all this was shared. “Resources can’t be created out of thin air. The Centre has to clarify on this,” Mr. Owaisi said.
He took strong objection to the word ‘settlers’ and wanted the CrPC to be amended to make it an offence.
