The politics in Hyderabad was always driven by the F-factor. For nearly six decades, the F-factor dictated the agenda and forced the people to abide by it. It was only the F-factor that obstructed the developmental activities in the city, especially the Old City. The “F” in the last few decades stood for “Fear”.
“If we don’t win, the others will”. “If you don’t support us, then they will come and harm you.” “If you are not supporting us, then you are their agent”.
A bunch of irrelevant slogans were used to instill fear among the common people. They were made to fear an unknown and unseen enemy. The same slogan or modified, but identical slogans were used by one particular political party to instill fear among the masses. The poor, suppressed and economically shattered people took the slogans very seriously and voted in favour of that party in every elections. Those who opposed them lived under fear for the next five years.
The General Elections 2014 brought a major revolutionary change in the politics of twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Again, it was the “F” factor that worked in this election. But instead of “Fear”, this time it stood for “Farhat Khan” and “Feroz Khan”.
Farhat Khan was the MBT candidate from Yakutpura constituency. He replaced the “Fear” element with the slogan of “Freedom” in the Old City. His fiery speeches attracted the attention of common masses who were waiting for someone for the last two decades to trigger a wave of change. The common people were influenced with the wave of change that swept the national capital last year. The Roti, Kapda, Makaan and affordable living were the factors that led the Delhiates to test a new breed of politicians who spoke about common man and common problems.
The voters in Hyderabad too wanted a change. But they got no opportunity to express their feelings. They also wanted education for their kids, employment opportunities, basic civic amenities and a dignified life. Instead of seeking these needs, they’ve always voted “to defeat someone”. They rarely voted to elect someone and their main intention of casting the case was to “defeat xyz”. This time too, the local party tried to seek a negative vote to defeat someone who was not contesting in Hyderabad. However, a majority of people who were sick of old tricks of politics supported Farhat Khan.
A similar “F” factor worked very well in the new city. Feroz Khan, the candidate from Nampally constituency, gave new hopes to the people of his constituency. Even after losing elections as the PRP candidate in 2009 elections, Feroz Khan, a young politician, stayed in touch with the local people. He served people with his own money. He has proved that one does not need millions or billions to help others. But small gestures in the right direction can bring smiles on the faces of common man. The local MLA failed to get drinking water to the slums. But Feroz Khan arranged private water tankers and delivered water to the door step of poor slum dwellers.
The contest for Feroz Khan began even before he filed his nomination papers. The local party allegedly conspired with the top leadership of Congress to ensure that Feroz Khan is denied a ticket. The secret negotiations were continued with other alternatives like YSRCP and TRS. Fearing that Feroz Khan might contest as an independent, a bunch of independent candidates with the same name were kept ready to confuse the voters with 3-4 independent Feroz Khans in the ballot. Finally, Feroz Khan played the masterstroke and secured a ticket from the TDP.
Since most of the Muslim leaders had quit the TDP after it entered into an alliance with the BJP, Feroz Khan’s entry gave some relief to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu. Feroz Khan took the biggest risk of his career by joining the TDP as his rivals tried to brand him as BJP agent. However, Feroz Khan not only convinced the Muslim voters about the circumstances that forced him to secure TDP ticket, he also ensured that all the traditional TDP-BJP combine voters vote for his candidature.
The polling is now over. While 52% voters cast their vote in Yakutpura constituency, 50% electors exercised their franchise in Nampally segment. We will have to wait till May 16 to know the results and also to endorse whether the voters have really replaced the “Fear” with “Freedom” in both the constituencies.