Fresh off a significant victory in Maharashtra, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi addressed a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday, setting a clear tone for his party’s expanding footprint. Following Friday’s results, which saw the AIMIM secure 125 seats across various municipal corporations — a sharp jump from the 81 seats it held in 2017 — Owaisi wasted no time in issuing a directive to his newly elected representatives. He told the Maharashtra corporators to stay grounded in their wards and work "diligently" for the people, noting with pride that the winning candidates included Hindus and Dalits alongside Muslims.
The Hyderabad MP also moved quickly to squash any talk of ideological compromise. Referring to a brief and controversial alliance between AIMIM and BJP councillors in Maharashtra’s Akot — which was scrapped following a massive backlash — Owaisi made it clear that there would be no partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party or the National Democratic Alliance. He clarified that while local corporators represent the party, they don't have the authority to make major policy decisions or form alliances; those calls remain strictly with the central leadership.
Looking ahead to the upcoming municipal elections in Telangana, Owaisi gave the go-ahead for district presidents to start accepting ticket applications. He also confirmed that the party would be heavily involved in the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, an exercise that the Chief Election Commissioner has suggested could become a national "role model."
Besides domestic politics, Owaisi spoke about global turmoil. He expressed concern for unrest in Iran and Bangladesh, and he specifically mentioned the strategic importance of the Chabahar port. According to reports, India may reduce its operations there because of the threat of US sanctions. Owaisi warned that it is an essential gateway from which India reaches Afghanistan and Central Asia and called upon the government to protect the strategic interests of the country.
Also read: Owaisi blames Congress for denial of bail to Khalid, Imam
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