MIM eyeing Deputy CM post?

Hyderabad: With about a week left for the election results to be announced and both the TRS and the Congress trying to win over the MIM for its support to form the government in case they fall short of absolute majority, the Majlis party has also decided to claim its pound of flesh. The party wants the post of Deputy Chief Minister. According to sources, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao and K Tarakarama Rao are in close touch with the MIM leaders. Similarly, TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah is also making frantic efforts to woo the party.

Ponnala had discussed four points with MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi. This includes special package for Old City development, Krishna Phase – III to fulfill requirements of Old City and preserving communal harmony bill. Ponnala told Assad that the Old City water requirement would be met by Krishna waters and five reservoirs are being planned with 2 MGD capacity.

He also assured Assad that the Congress government would introduce a bill on communal harmony and that he had already discussed this issue with Prof Zia, Justice Siddiqui of Delhi High Court and Niyaz Farooqui, a Supreme court lawyer, on the Bill. He said the TPCC would prepare a draft Bill in next couple of days.

A senior MIM leader told The Hans India that the MIM is not in any hurry to give its commitment. According to their information, Congress would get about 30 seats. MIM, they feel, will win 7-9 seats. While the party leader are confident that they would win Jubilee Hills, Rajendranagar and Nizamabad Urban besides sitting seats, political analysts contend it would get one seat less than what they got in 2009. It may suffer a setback in Karwan and Yakutpura, they add.