Hours after coming under attack by MIM activists led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Leader of Opposition in Council Md. Ali Shabbir has termed the GHMC polls and the turn of events on Tuesday as a farce.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Reddy and Mr. Shabbir said they had gone to Mirchowk police station on information that Congress candidate from Puranapul division Mohammed Ghouse has been detained and prevented from moving around in his area. “We had urged the State Election Commission and the City police commissioner to release the candidate. After much persuasion he was released. We came out and sent away our cadres asking them to concentrate on their divisions. But all of a sudden Mr. Asaduddin, along with his followers, came and picked up an argument,” Mr. Uttam said.
“Within minutes our vehicle was mobbed and attacked. But for the presence of the police, the situation would have been much worse,” the TPCC chief remarked.
Mr. Shabbir said that the attack clearly reflected that frustration of MIM leaders over losing base in the Old City and the fear of losing elections.
At a hurriedly convened press conference, TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Congress Legislature Party leader K.Jana Reddy said the attack had exposed the failure of law and order and MIM’s highhanded behaviour.