Mahakutami poised for tough fight with MIM

Charminar: The MIM candidate Mumtaz Ahmed Khan who earlier represented Yakutpura constituency is likely to face a tough fight from the probable Mahakutami candidate and son of Ibrahim Masqati, former MLA from Yakutpura, Ali Masqati who had a close contest with three-time Charminar MLA, Ahmed Pasha Quadri in 2009.

Charminar Assembly constituency is one among the 15 constituencies in Hyderabad. It is one of the seven constituencies won by city-based All India Majlis-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and held continuously since 1989. With its historic importance, the constituency remains a matter of prestige for the MIM leadership and its incumbent Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri, who wonthe constituency consecutively in the last three elections. The notable areas, which has both commercial and residential areas include Charminar, Puranapul, Laad Bazaar, Moghalpura, Khilwat, part of Chaderghat and part of Lal Darwaza.

Most of the historic monuments including Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Chowmahalla Palace, Khilwat Palace, Purani Haveli, Madina Building and several other monuments are located in this constituency. With most of the voters being from middle-class, one of the major problems being faced by the constituents is sanitation and better health-care facilities in view of the growing vector borne diseases due to mosquito menace.

As per the latest estimates, the constituency has close to 2 lakh population and remained a bastion of the MIM ever since late Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi won as Independent Candidate in 1978 with a huge margin of votes against his closest rival. After the formation of MIM, Virasat Rasool Khan, later Asaduddin Owaisi won as MLA before Pasha Quadri. However, MIM continuously faced challenge from former MIM MLA and strongman who had won twice from Yakutpura, Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Masqati for over a decade. He joined TDP in 2002 – following denial of ticket to fight in 1994 and 1999 elections -- till his death in 2015.

Representing TDP, his son Ali Bin Ibrahim Masqati, state vice president of TDP, who contested on party ticket gave tough fight to Pasha Quadri in 2009. Ali Masqati got 33,030 votes, while Pasha Quadri received 43,725 votes. Even this time, Ali Masqati remains the TDP candidate and is yet to be officially announced by the Mahakutami. In September, sensing that Ali Masqati would be contesting in the upcoming elections, MIM party chief Asaduddin Owaisi made a visit at his place to woo him, along with Mumtaz Khan, who earlier represented Yakutpuraand now would be contesting from Charminar on MIM ticket. Anxious over the move by Asaduddin, the very next day, a delegation of Congress leadership led by TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy knocked on his door. On the occasion, he clarified that he would remain with the TDP and if Mahakutami decides he would contest in the elections.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Friday officially announced T Uma Mahendra, BJP city vice president, as the party candidate. He is closely associated with various temple committees and recently organised Swamy Paripoornananda’s visit toBhagyalaxmi temple located at Charminar. In 2015, the BJP leader won a High Court order seeking permission for yoga programme on International Yoga Day near historic Charminar, following denial of permission by police. TRS and Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), which is part of Bahujan Left Front are yet to announce their candidates. From TRS the probable candidate is Dipankar Pal, a party youth leader.