"[MIM] rose from one legislator to seven legislators and one MP, only because of our support."
Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary G Niranjan on Sunday appealed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi not to revive alliance with the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, Niranjan accused the MIM of inciting communal disturbances in the Old City of Hyderabad by creating a controversy around the Bhagyalakshmi Temple whose existence or annual renovation had never been questioned by anyone before this. "The MIM has created this scene intentionally with political motives, and to damage the credibility of the Congress party at the centre and in the state," he declared.
Niranjan alleged that there was talk among the people that MIM was in collusion with YSR Congress Party and its leader Jaganmohan Reddy, and was trying to strengthen its base in an alliance with its new friend. "As the resident of Old City of Hyderabad, and with my political observations since five decades, it is my firm view that there was no benefit to the Congress party from MIM, but the latter benefited from the Congress with the internal alliance," opined the PCC General Secretary.
"They rose from one legislator to seven legislators and one MP, only because of our support. We acted according to their tune. They did not allow our District Incharge Minister to grant a single paisa to Congress workers from the Incharge Minister's funds," he said. "Under their pressure, we neglected our workers and caused ruin to our organization in a major part of the capital city," he added.
Niranjan disclosed that D Nagender, sitting MLA, was denied the INC Ticket in 2004 elections, and P Sabitha Indra Reddy, Home Minister, was forced to shift her constituency from Rajendranagar to Maheswaram constituency in 2009 elections under the pressure of MIM. "Even our party tickets were given persons of their choice where their candidates are in field," he said.
The PCC General Secretary maintained that the Congress party had provided scope for the MIM to strengthen itself, politically and financially. "The MIM has now become like Bhasmasura," he stated.
"In our state, the ruling party rules in the entire state except in the old city area of the capital city, where MIM dictates and government officers follow their dictats. Now they want to dictate the state government and the Congress party in the state," he said.
Niranjan opined that the reviving the alliance, or making adjustments for the MIM would affect the sentiments of the people and, also, the activities of MIM leaders would strengthen the base for the BJP. (INN)