The Hindu : Smiles, handshakes, hugs and `sharbat'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Smiles, handshakes, hugs and `sharbat'

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MARCH 9. It was a road show with a difference. No formal introductions, no persuasive appeals, no wild promises. A tacit `we are on your side' understanding seems to prevail on both sides.

Broad smiles, warm handshakes and bear hugs were in store for the Majlis leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, when he formally launched his election campaign in the Charminar Assembly constituency on Tuesday.

Though Mr. Owaisi turned up two hours behind schedule, people waited patiently at Motigalli in Lad Bazar from where the rally commenced. To the deafening beats of `daf', he went around several parts of the Charminar Municipal division accompanied by the Charminar corporator, Mohd. Ghouse, and the Puranapul corporator, S. Raj Mohan. Mr. Owaisi made his first halt at Mohajir Basti behind the Mecca Masjid. He went from door to door seeking support for himself and his party.

People of Mohajir Basti had been demanding better housing facilities for long. But today, none raised the issue. In fact in, his two-hour long visit, Mr. Owaisi did not face any major complaints nor did he make any unrealistic promises.

At Khilwat, a resident, Qutbuddin, complained about the precarious position of the electric pole. He had brought this to the notice of the Majlis leader several times, but nothing was done, he said. Mr. Owaisi promised to look into the matter at the earliest.

The Majlis leader was profusely garlanded en route. Even women came out from houses to garland him. At Mohajir Basti a youth offered a glass of `sharbat', which Mr. Owaisi accepted.

His padayatra held up traffic on the busy Lad Bazar road. Perhaps realising the possible traffic problem, he did not proceed towards Charminar and instead went towards Murghi Chowk.

At Alak-ka-Mat temple, Mr. Owaisi was garlanded by Hindu residents. An old man, Nand Kishore, blessed him and offered his support. Making an impromptu speech, Mr. Owaisi said during the last four and half years, the Majlis had executed developmental works worth lakhs of rupees in the Charminar constituency. His party wanted to make Charminar a model constituency and sought people's support. The Majlis did not believe in communal politics, Mr. Owaisi said, and pointed to the election of the Puranapul corporator, Raj Mohan, as proof.

Cheerleaders lead the procession. Youth wearing sunshades emblazoned with `MIM' raised slogans in support of the Majlis and Mr. Owaisi. They burst crackers every few steps. People were heard saying that this time "Asad baba MP banenge."

The Majlis leader visited several colonies in Khilwat, Owaisi Pura, Fateh Darwaza, Mallad-ki- Taleem, Ghazibanda and Himmatpura. Later, speaking to presspersons, Mr. Owaisi said the Majlis was planning to contest six constituencies in the twin cities. It was proposed to field a BC candidate from Himayatnagar.

The party would contest either the Asifnagar or Musheerabad constituency. Besides, it was also proposed to contest from Vikarabad, Tandur and Zaheerabad, Mr. Owaisi said. He said works worth Rs. 13 crores were executed in the Charminar constituency. Major works were carried out in Mecca Colony and Hasan Nagar. Stating that the Majlis had taken up lot of developmental works in the old city, he said the Mir Alam Tank was proposed to be developed at a cost of Rs. 8 crores.

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