The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who has been making tireless efforts to expand his party’s base to several parts of the country and succeeded to some extent in Maharashtra, is now planning to spread in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, before bifurcation of the state, he had made some efforts to get foot-hold in several urban areas of this region, where Muslims population are in formidable number.
It may be recalled that at the peak of the Telangana statehood movement, while opposing the idea of creating Telangana state, he had suggested a compromise formula seeking a separate state including Anantapur and Kurnool districts of Rayalaseema region with Telangana, making it as Rayal Telangana state. The proposal was also supported by then senior Congress leader, now TDP MP JC Diwakar Reddy.
He has already make a big move to spread his base in Bihar by contesting last year’s assembly elections. Now, he is involved in intense campaign in Uttar Pradesh for his party candidates. For the first time, outside Hyderabad city, his party succeeded in winning two MLA seats in Maharasthra two years go. In recent Mumbai Corporation elections, his party won three divisions.
Learning a lesion from Maharasthra experience, Owaisi seems to be come to the conclusion base in municipal elections will be helpful to get some gains in Assembly elections. It is interesting to note Muslim population are in significant number in various urban areas of AP, unlike in Telangana where the population is mostly concentrate in Hyderabad old city only.
Aiming at contesting few Assembly seats in AP in 2019, Owaisi is now making moves to field his party candidates in forthcoming municipal corporation elections in the state. Elections are schedule to be held for 11 corporations very soon.
According to sources, the party has decided to field Muslim candidate in divisions where Muslims constituted more than 50 per cent among voters. In other divisions, where Muslims are in considerable number making efforts to field non-Muslim candidates, like they experienced in Hyderabad city.
