Hyderabad based All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has intensified its campaign for the Nanded Waghala Municipal Corporation election with its president and Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi undertaking an extensive walk through the Muslims and Dalit pockets of the city.
He sought support for the MIM-BSP alliance which was contesting 54 out of the 81 seats, for the polls which were slated for October 11.
While MIM was contesting 32 seats BSP was in the fray on 22 seats.
Slogans of “Jai Meem-Jai Bheem” rented the air as Owaisi accompanied by MIM and BSP leaders and workers went door to door canvassing support.
He covered areas like Deglur Naka, Bilal Nagar, Madina Nagar, Khoja Colony, Kidwai Nagar, Islam Pura and Millatnagar.
Owaisi assured the people that the MIM will not spare any effort in rendering service and solving the civic problems of people of Nanded. “The Muslim Dalit alliance will do very well”, he exuded confidence.
In his campaign, Owais targeted both the BJP and the Congress equally for their failure in solving the problems and highlighted the failures of Narendra Modi Government on the economic front at the national level.
The issue of Rohingya refugees also found a place in his election speech as he questioned the stand of Modi Government against giving shelter to Rohingyas fleeing ethnic cleansing in Myanmar.
“Please show me one case of terror booked against Rohingya”, he asked rejecting the statements of the BJP and the RSS leaders terming the Rohingyas a security threat to the country.
At the same time, he also questioned the silence of Congress party on Rohingya issue. “If Chakmas and lakhs of other people can be given refuge in the country why not Rohingyas”, he asked.
This is the first time MIM was contesting a civic body election in Maharashtra in alliance with the BSP. In 2012 elections of Nanded corporation MIM had won 11 seats while Congress had emerged winner with 41 seats. Shiv Sena came second with 14 seats and NCP got 10 seats while the BJP had come last with 2 seats.
MIM was hopeful that the success in Nanded will further strengthen its position in Maharashtra where it already has presence in the state assembly as well as several civic bodies. In Aurangabad it enjoys the position of main opposition party.