The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Sparks fly at Haj panel meet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 14, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Sparks fly at Haj panel meet

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 13. Even as the first batch of Haj pilgrims embarked on the consecrated journey, sharp differences have arisen between Haj Committee members and Congress workers. The other day there were heated exchanges between them at the preparatory committee meeting chaired by the City Police Commissioner, Dinesh Reddy, who is also the secretary of the State Haj Committee.

Soon after the change of guard in the State, Congress workers have been demanding removal of the Haj Committee chairman, Ghouse Mohinuddin, and other members nominated by the previous Government.

At the preparatory committee meeting, some Haj Committee members objected to the presence of Congress workers. This led to trading of heated words between the two groups. The Congress workers contended that they have been duly nominated by the Government and have every right to attend the meeting. They objected to the naming of the Wakf Board chief executive officer, Mirza Hasan Ali Baig, as Haj Committee convenor and demanded his ouster.

The Haj Committee members feel the preparatory committee would serve no purpose as it is set up only to please Congress workers. Another point of friction for the Congress workers is the small picture of the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasehkhara Reddy, put up at the entrance of the Haj House. When huge cut-outs of Chandrababu Naidu were erected in the past why Dr. Reddy was not given the same treatment, they wondered.

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