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 controversy around Bhagya Lakshmi Temple whose existence or annual renovation was never questioned by anyone. “The MIM has created this scene intentionally with political motives and to damage the credibility of the Congress party at Centre and State,” he said.
Niranjan alleged that there was talk among the people that MIM colluded with YSR Congress Party and its leader Jagan Mohan Reddy and trying to strengthen its base in alliance with their 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,” he said.
“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 pie through the Congress workers out of Incharge Minister’s Funds,” he said. “Under their pressure, we neglected out workers and caused to ruin our organization in the major part of capital city of Hyderabad,” he added.
Niranjan said that D Nagender, sitting MLA was denied 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 said that the Congress party provided scope for the MIM to strengthen itself, politically and financially. “The MIM has now become like Bhasmasura,” he said. “In our State, the ruling party rules in the entire State except in the old city area of capital city where MIM dictates and government officers follow their dictates. Now they want to dictate the State Government and Congress Party in the State,” he said.
Niranjan said that the reviving the alliance or any adjustment with the MIM would affect the sentiments of the people and also the activities of MIM leaders would strengthen the base for the BJP. (INN)