Will quit post if TRS wins 100 seats: Shabbir Ali

Hyderabad, Jan 22 (INN): Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday said that he was ready to accept the challenge posed by Panchayat Raj Minister K. Tarakarama Rao on giving resignation from the post if TRS wins 100 seats in the GHMC elections.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Legislature Party office here, Shabbir Ali said KTR's challenge was not only pre-mature, but symbolised his arrogance and over-confidence. "He challenged opposition parties even before the announcement of reserved seats. Now the first phase of GHMC election process is over. All official candidates are in the fray and battle lines drawn. At this stage, I'm willing to accept KTR's challenge if he agrees to quit as minister if TRS does not win 100 seats," he said.

Stating the TRS Government's popularity was on the decline, Shabbir Ali alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao himself is trying to do some damage control by intimidating the candidates and leaders of opposition parties. He alleged that KCR himself spoke to nearly 200 opposition candidates on Thursday asking them to withdraw from elections. At other places, even local police was used to intimidate the candidates. "This is an open misuse of official machinery and abuse of power. I appeal to the DGP and Police Commissioner to look into the specific complaints which we have referred and direct the policemen not to interfere in political matters. They must do their duty and not act as agents of ruling party. Although we were in power for over 45 years, we never misused police or other official machinery for elections," he said.

Shabbir Ali said that the TRS leaders were violating all ethics and set norms just to win elections. They are trying to take credit for projects initiated during the Congress regime. Citing an instance, he said that the then Chief Minsiter Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy declined to inaugurate Secretariat Flyover as it was constructed by the previous TDP Government. Instead, he asked him to attend the function as the Hyderabad Incharge Minister. However, instead of thanking the previous Congress Government, KTR has been trying to take credit for bringing Godavari River water to Hyderabad. "TRS Government constructed only 300 houses. But the ruling party leaders are misleading the people by promising 3 lakh 2BHK houses. Where is the land and funds for the same? People should do the reality check before believing them.

The Congress leader also described KCR as anti-Dalit and anti-Muslim. He slammed KCR for not visiting the family of Rohit Vemula, the Dalit research scholar of Hyderabad Central University, who committed suicide due to injustices and harassment. He said that the HCU is just 5-6 minutes drive from KCR's residence. But the Chief Minister is not interested in the issue of a Dalit student while several national leaders including Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi visited HCU from New Delhi.

Further, showing a pamphlet of TRS for GHMC elections, Shabbir Ali said that KCR has conveniently ignored the promise of 12% Muslim reservation. He also did not clarify whether, Fee Reimbursement benefit will be given to students hailing from Seemandhra. There is no mention of KG to PG free education or roadmap for development of Hyderabad.

Shabbir Ali also ridiculed MIM's slogan of "Shaher Hamara, Mayor Hamara". A party needs at least 106 votes to win the Mayor's seat. Besides 150 corporators, there are about 60 ex-officio members who can participate in the election. MIM is contesting on just about 61 seats. It has 10 ex-officio members including one MP, seven MLAs and two MLCs. Even if it wins all the seats, it will have only 71 votes, almost 35 short of magic figure. "MIM leaders must stop cheating the people with misleading slogans. They must openly admit about their alliance with the TRS for GHMC elections. There is match-fixing between the two parties," he said while appealing the voters to question MIM on the grounds on which it aligned with the TRS. "Has MIM compromised on the issue of 12% Muslim reservation, Alair encounter and other issues concerning Muslim community?" he asked.

He said that the Congress party was quite stronger in GHMC elections and it would emerge victorious on majority of seats. When asked for reaction on rebels and allegations being levelled by those who were denied tickets, he said those reactions clearly show the popularity of Congress party in the city. He said demonstrations at Gandhi Bhavan over ticket issue are an answer to allegations levelled by TRS leaders who alleged that the Congress party was not having candidates. We had more number of aspirants than any other party in the city, he said.