JOIN USKiran Reddy in spot over MIM fiasco
“A life lived in fear is not worth living, mind you no one is going to help you,” a pensive looking Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy said during Children’s Day function here on Wednesday, probably reflecting his own predicaments and the explanation he owes to the party high command on the Majlis episode.
The MIM on Monday withdrew support after a canopy was allowed to be erected at a temple abutting the historic Charminar.
With not many Congress leaders coming to his rescue after the MIM’S attack on him and severing ties with the UPA, the party high command which has given a long rope to the cricketer-turned politician is reported to have taken a serious note on the lack of management in addressing the concerns of MIM, an ally for almost 14 years.
According sources, the chief minister was called to New Delhi for an explanation before taking a decision on his future. The party high command is equally concerned over the tilt of Majlis towards YSRC and the effort of YSRC to catapult into the political arena of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which is now headed by a MIM mayor.
However, few Congress leaders close to Kiran are stating that the chief minister had done no wrong to invite the wrath of the MIM.
‘MIM blackmailing’
Political analysts stated that MIM has been indulging in land grabbing and blackmailing in the garb of protection of minority rights. “The fact is that MIM is upset with Kiran Kumar Reddy as he refused to allocate the prime land belonging to Mahavir hospital here to MIM, a senior Congress leader said.
Congress insiders say that Owaisi wants cases against those who had indulged in criminal acts be withdrawn and Kiran had not obliged him.
Likewise, the Bhagya Lakshmi temple issue was also blown out of proportion by the MIM, say leaders.
However, Kiran supporters point out that Majlis represents only a small fraction of the Muslim population in the state. Majlis never won an election outside Hyderabad and it was a misconception that Owaisi was the leader or savior of the entire Muslim community. “Asaduddin announced that he would travel all around the state to explain MIM’s decision to people,” but their strength is minimal in Rayalaseema and Coastal AP, they say.
Except for a brief period after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Muslims in Andhra Pradesh sided with Congress. TDP which initially gained the trust of the Muslim community lost it after Chandra Babu Naidu chose to support the BJP and the NDA and is still making amends to it and wants to get cozy with MIM after it severed ties with the Congress.
While Kiran baiters are sure that he would be replaced now, his supporters are still hopeful that he would explain the situation to the high command and be able to retain his position.
Meanwhile, the state Human Rights Commission on Wednesday directed the government and the DGP and the Commissioner of Police to explain the restrictions imposed in old city fearing trouble around Charminar. The APHRC sought explanation in this regard.