Asaduddin Owaisi confident of 4th win from Hyderabad; BJP, Congress alleges he indulges in divisive politics

Development work and a strong connection with people will help him retain the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat for the fourth time, believes AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, even as the BJP and the Congress claim he will lose for his divisive politics and "goondaism".

The constituency, which is traditionally an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) stronghold and won by Owaisi since 2004, has seven assembly segments, and six of these were won by the party in the 2018 Telangana polls. The BJP has again fielded J Bhagwant Rao, who had lost to Owaisi by over two lakh votes in the 2014 polls, from the seat, while Congress's Feroz Khan, who unsuccessfully contested the 2018 assembly elections, is trying his luck from the constituency. 

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has fielded Puste Srikanth. But, Chief Minister and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao have kept it no secret that the party is backing Owaisi, whose support it is counting on in the remaining 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

In total, there are 15 candidates in the fray from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat.  

Meeting people at their homes, padyatras and organising interactions and meetings, especially with young voters and students, are the backbone of Owaisi's campaign in the parliamentary constituency.

The party is seeking votes on 'hamare kaam ki buniyaad par' (on the basis of their work) and is confident of a win from the seat, said Asaduddin, who is being accompanied by his brother and AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi on his campaign trail.

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"Paidal dauras (campaigning on foot) has been the AIMIM's way through which we communicate our performance as representatives, and learn from our constituents on what more can be done," he said

With my MPLAD expenditure, my focus has always been on investing in our children's future, their health, education and well-being, Asaduddin said, adding, "I am contesting this election on my record, and a lot more needs to be done and Inshallah I'll work towards it".

Both the Owaisi brothers are targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a number of issues, including the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' (I, too, am watchman) campaign.

The AIMIM, whose election symbol is 'kite', has maintained a firm grip on the minority voters-dominated constituency by winning the seat since 1984. The party's former chief and Asaduddin's father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi got elected six times consecutively from Hyderabad.