Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency is known as the fortress of AIMIM chief and four-time MP Asaduddin Owaisi and earlier it was represented by his father. Nearly since three decades no party has been able to challenge their supremacy.
Earlier, senior BJP leaders like Baddam Bal Reddy and M Venkaiah Naidu tried to defeat them, but failed. But this time a young business woman Madhavi Latha (49) in her debut electoral contest expressed confidence to change the scenario.
Known for her religious and philanthropist activities in the old city, suddenly she emerged as BJP candidate, though she is not familiar with BJP leadership. However, for the last two years as a businesswoman, in a very systematic way she has been attempting to intrude into Owaisi’s fortress.
Ironically her familiarity with electoral systems and BJP’s organizational machinery was also negligible. This has reportedly created some gap with the party cadre to her. Most prominently, the three-time Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh, who also expressed intention to contest in Lok Sabha polls, keeping away from poll campaign.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP fielded Dr. Bhagavanth Rao against the AIMIM chief. However, the BJP candidate stood a distant second, losing to Owaisi by 2,82,186 votes. He received just 26 per cent of the total votes polled to Owaisi’s 58.95 per cent. Mostly, AIMIM success depends upon its proximity with the ruling party in the state.
For a long time it was sailing with Congress party, but shifted to BRS after the latter came to power in the newly created Telangana state. But, soon after BRS lost power and Congress government was formed it is now cultivating cordial relations with it.
Though Owaisi has been putting up candidates in several Lok Sabha constituencies of various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra, it is confined to Hyderabad seat in Telangana. As per understanding the ruling party will field a weak candidate, who can divide Hindu votes and helps contests for AIMIM.
That’s why though several prominent Muslim leaders’ names appeared for the Hyderabad seat as Congress candidates, sources said it is fielding a Hindu candidate only. In return, AIMIM will extend support to Congress in the remaining Lok Sabha seats of Telangana, where Muslims are in considerable numbers.
AIMIM also has an excellent cadre who can manipulate polling booths in the old city, where BJP is lagging behind. How far Madhavi Latha can face AIMIM tricks? It is the million dollars question now.
