Mirza Rahmat Baig criss-crosses several localities in the Rajendranagar Assembly segment as part of his paidal daura (canvassing). He is the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM)’s candidate from the constituency. As he meets people, some at the doorstep and others passing by, he greets them with the traditional aadaab and says “ Mere liye dua kijiye (pray for me)” as he promises to solve their problems once elected.
Speaking to The Hindu , he says, “The jamaat is not new here,” and proceeds to clarify that by jamaat, he means the MIM. “In fact, we have had a strong presence in this constituency for several years. We have always been with the people.”
The 31-year-old claims to have had humble beginnings. It was in 1994 that he first came in contact with the party leadership. Soon, he began to work with the MIM’s Ibrahimbagh primary unit. “After serving in the primary unit, Asad sahab (Asaduddin Owaisi) in 2004 instructed me to work for Charminar MLA Syed Ahmed Pasha Qadri. So, I became his driver, and then his personal assistant. I am grateful to Asad sahab for choosing me as a candidate,” he says.
Mr Baig says that the contest in the Assembly segment is between him and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Baddam Bal Reddy. “Our fight has always been with the BJP,” he says.
While that may be the case, Mr Baig claims the constituency is in dire need of developmental work. The primary concerns are potable water and the drainage system. “Places in Narsingi, Sun City and Khizara Colony, among many others, have been facing major water supply issues. Also, drainage issues are seen in Narasareddy Colony and other places.”
He claims the area is in need of government schools, junior and degree colleges and accuses former MLA T. Prakash Goud of doing little there. “I would like to ask the MLA how many new Urdu medium schools have been sanctioned? How many new government schools have been established? There is a lot that needs to be done,” he says.
