Karwan is perhaps one of the most ancient and also stinkiest constituencies of Hyderabad.
Spread over the historical precinct of Golconda, Toli Chowki, Ziaguda, M.D. Lines, Hakeempet and Tappa Chabutra, the constituency is fringed by Musi river through its length. The Karwan area is one of the oldest parts of the city as it formed the bridge that connected the Golconda Fort with Charminar and beyond, to the eastcoast port of Machilipatnam.
Karwan has recorded one of the highest nominations in Hyderabad with 21 candidates in the fray. The constituency has 3,03,020 voters, up from 2,87,977. It is one of the few constituencies where the voter count has surged. In 2014 elections, the constituency recorded 55.62% voting with Kausar Mohiuddin of the All India Majlis Itehaddul Muslimeen securing 86,391 polled votes. He won by a margin of 37,777 votes, while Baddam Bal Reddy of Bharatiya Janata Party secured 48,614 votes.
Incidentally, Karwan was one of the happy hunting grounds for Mr. Reddy, who won the seat thrice in 1985, 1989 and 1994. This year, Mr. Reddy has been fielded from Rajendranagar constituency and T. Amar Singh has filed his nomination from the BJP, while TRS has renominated T. Jeevan Singh. Also in the fray are Osman Bin Mohammad Al-Hazri of the Congress, Lubna Sarwath of the Socialist Party; as is sitting MLA Kausar Mohiuddin of the AIMIM.
Jiyaguda, which lies halfway between Purana Pul and Heera Khana, is an index of the key issues dogging the constituency. The Jiyaguda abattoir and sheep market are the busiest in the city. While the businessmen living off the trade are happy with the market, it leaves an all-pervasive stink for the local residents. The Chengicherla abattoir, inaugurated in 2003, was expected to take off some of the pressure from the Jiyaguda abattoir, but it clearly has not happened. To compound the matter, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has a garbage transfer station near the abattoir. As hundreds of tippers and trucks bring in and transfer the garbage at the site, the area looks like a breeding ground for diseases.
Also, public transport remains one of the biggest issues in the area with limited Telangana State Road Transport Services connectivity. Most of the transport needs are being fulfilled by shared auto services, which are risky for the commuters as it depends on the whims and fancies of the drivers.
While the candidates go around canvassing for votes, it remains to be seen which way the wind blows on December 7. Karwan constituency has seen a rise in number of voters from 2,87,977 to 3,03,020 voters (1,59,020 male and 1,43,989 female)
In 2014 elections, Kausar Mohiuddin of the AIMIM emerged triumphant, winning 86,391 votes (54.2% vote share) followed by Baddam Bal Reddy of BJP with 48,614 votes (30.5% vote share
