Shabbir to quit post if TRS bags 100 GHMC seats

Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir here on Friday said he was ready to accept the challenge posed by Panchayat Raj Minister K. Tarakarama Rao and resign from the post if the ruling TRS wins 100 seats in the GHMC elections.

            Addressing the media at CLP office here, Shabbir Ali said KTR's challenge was not only pre-mature, but also symbolised arrogance and over-confidence. “I'm willing to accept KTR's challenge if he agrees to quit as minister if TRS does not win 100 seats," he said.

            Stating the TRS Government's popularity was on the wane, Shabbir Ali alleged Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was trying to do some damage control by intimidating the candidates and leaders of Opposition parties. He also alleged that KCR spoke to some 200 Opposition candidates on Thursday asking them to withdraw from elections. At other places, even police were used to intimidate the candidates, he said, adding "This is an open misuse of official machinery and abuse of power. I appeal to the DGP and Police Commissioner to look into the specific complaints which we have referred and direct the policemen not to interfere in political matters. He also alleged that the TRS leaders were violating



all ethics and set norms just to win elections. They are trying to take credit for projects initiated during the Congress regime.

            The Congress leader has described KCR as anti-Dalit and anti-Muslim. He faulted KCR for not visiting the family of Rohit Vemula, Dalit research scholar of Hyderabad Central University, who committed suicide on Sunday last. Showing a TRS pamphlet for GHMC elections, Shabbir Ali said the Chief Minister has ignored his promise of 12% Muslim reservation.

            Shabbir Ali also ridiculed MIM's slogan of "Shaher Hamara, Mayor Hamara". Stating that a party needs at least 106 votes to win Mayor's seat, the MIM is contesting 61 out of 150 seats. It has 10 ex-officio members, including one MP, seven MLAs and two MLCs. Even if it wins all the seats, it will have only 71 votes, almost 35 short of magic figure. There is a match-fixing between the two parties, he said.

            Asserting that Congress was very strong in Greater Hyderabad, he exuded confidence that it would emerge victorious on majority of seats.  Asked about rebels and allegations by those who were denied tickets, Shabbir Ali said those reactions clearly show the popularity of Congress party in the city. He said demonstrations at Gandhi Bhavan over ticket issue are an answer to allegations levelled by TRS leaders, who alleged that the Congress party was not having candidates. “We had more number of aspirants than any other party in the city”, he asserted.