Majlis support comes with a rider

Asad and KCR expected to meet in a day or two to talk on core issues. The TRS emissaries, who held detailed discussions over lunch, did not give any assurances but promised to convey the Majlis concern to their leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Though it has taken a strident stand against bifurcation of the State, the Majlis is now ready to extend support to the TRS government in Telangana. The only rider is: there must be complete justice with Muslims in the new State. Security to their life and property, equal opportunities in education and jobs, granting joint official language status to Urdu along with Telugu are the other conditions.

Some of these issues figured in the informal talks held by Majlis leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and his brother, Akbaruddin Owaisi with TRS legislators the other day.

The Telangana State has the potential to outstrip even Gujarat in development if roots of secularism are further strengthened and justice done with all sections of the society, the Majlis party feels.

The TRS emissaries, who held detailed discussions over lunch, did not give any assurances but promised to convey the Majlis concern to their leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Monday’s talks were preliminary in nature as both sides wanted to read each other’s mind, sources said.

Mr. Asaduddin and KCR are expected to meet in a day or two to talk on core issues relating to minorities, Hyderabad and Telangana State.

Will the Majlis share power with the TRS? Nobody in the party is ready to talk about it although the cadre is elated at such a prospect. “But this much is certain. The parties need to coordinate their strategies in view of the bonding between TDP-BJP,” sources say.

According to sources, Majlis will insist on revival of the Rs. 2,000-crore Old City package for improvement of civic infrastructure. The sewerage remodelling works taken up remain incomplete for want of funds. The party is upset at the meagre water supply to the Old City and wants equitable distribution of water from Krishna phase III, which is nearing completion. It is also cut up with the erratic power supply and wants a dedicated power project for the city to surmount the problem.

The Majlis is opposed to the idea of law and order remaining with the Governor in the context of Hyderabad being the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It feels Hyderabad will get insulated from coordinated development if it is kept out of the control of new government in Telangana. Mr. Asaduddin will broach this key issue with KCR when he meets him.

The Majlis also wants an assurance from TRS on higher budgetary allocation for minorities’ welfare, continuation of 4 per cent reservation for the socially and educationally backward sections of Muslims, besides according Urdu its due status.