Asaduddin Owaisi, the quintessential leader representing minority Muslims in his capacity as the President of the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehaadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), is trying to emerge as an alternate voice, after the advent of right wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government at the Centre. He is sparing no efforts to position himself in such a manner that his views are heard, and the demands of his community are taken seriously.
Owaisi feels sad for the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Telangana and doesn’t rule out the possibility of his party emerging as a credible, if not formidable, alternative to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the State.
In fact, the AIMIM has a “cordial relationship” with the TRS. But the two parties may move apart due to political reasons, especially if the TRS comes closer to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The second-generation politician from the Owaisi family, who is very active on Twitter, may not have counted the number of years of experience he has amassed in public life through a direct election. He has completed 21 years in India’s Parliamentary history and is going strong.
He was an MLA from Charminar Assembly constituency in 1994 and 1999 and from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat in 2004 and 2009 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. He was re-elected from the same constituency in 2014 general elections, before the two States were separated. He ensured his constituency remained in tact, winning 45 seats in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections.
The Owaisis were never defeated in an election and Asad feels it is the confidence reposed by their constituents and the no-holds-barred courage demonstrated by his family in standing by the people in their hour of crisis is the secret behind the unbridled support from the people.
Owaisi, whom I met very recently, answered a few questions in a brief interaction at his Darussalam office for Telugu360.
Owaisi quickly disposed a couple of hundred people who queued up to submit representations and grievances to their Member of Parliament. His battery of personal staff began working on each of the representations the MP received from people. Most representations were seeking either a ration card or an adhaar card or a job or an Arogya Sri facility for some surgery.
Excerpts:
Do you foresee AIMIM emerging as an alternative to TRS in Telangana, especially in the light of severe leadership crisis faced by other parties?
Sir, I am a small man. I do not nurse big ambitions. But, the way the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) are losing their legislators and leaders to the TRS, I do not rule out the possibility. Recall the observation made on a lighter vein by my brother and MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on the floor of the Assembly recently: “Maybe in the next three years, I will be the Leader of the Opposition of this House.”
I never expected that the TDP would be worn out so quickly in Telangana. I thought it would continue to play a key role in Telangana politics. But, all the claims that it has cadre base have been proved false. Look at the pathetic number – just one seat – it has got in the GHMC elections.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s clever moves completely eroded the TDP in the State.
Of course, the Congress may survive. It is a national party. It has history and loyal electorate. However, the party suffers from leadership crisis. But, even that party secured just two seats.
As far as we are concerned, we will continue our efforts to impress people in different constituencies in the State.
How about Andhra Pradesh?
We would like to expand and contest in different parts of Andhra Pradesh. Electoral pacts can be thought of as and when it is necessary and as and when we get there. But, yes, we do want to extend our activity to AP.
How many seats are you contesting in the States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Pondicherry and Assam?
The party fielded its candidates in three constituencies in Tamil Nadu – Chepauk, Vaniyambadi and Krishnagiri Assembly constituencies. In Kerala, we are supporting Indian Union Muslim League. We are not contesting in the other States. We have contested in Maharashtra and won two seats. We have contested in Bihar, but won none.
What about the controversy over “Bharat Mata ki jai’ slogan?
Islam doesn’t believe in idol worship. We don’t personify country. We have two holy lands in Saudi Arabia. We pray to the God and not the country. I have no hassles in saying “Hindustan Zindabad”.
Do you have a count of the number of cases of whatever charges filed against you and your brother Akbaruddin Owaisi across India? If so, how many are you facing?
I don’t have a count of the number of case. What I know is the cases wherein my lawyers are appearing on my behalf and summons were issued to me. I have full faith in the judiciary. I do not keep track of the other cases filed.
Do you remember the days when Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, as the Speaker, used to caution you to take out your hand from the pockets of your trousers?
Yes, sir (laughs). I do remember. Those were the Jeans days — my early days in public life and that too in the Assembly. By force of habit, I used to push my hands into my pockets. I still have that habit. As I no longer sport Jeans and shirts, the habit has come down.
Asaduddin signed off asserting that he did not have to swear his loyalty to India as he is an Indian running a political party within the Constitutional framework and statute. With a smile on his face, he introduced his young son (around 8 years old) and asked him to say his name. The boy proudly said: “Salahuddin Owaisi.” the name of Asad’s father and former Hyderabad MP.
