HYDERABAD: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has secured a majority in the Hyderabad local body Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections. Historically, these elections have often resulted in uncontested victories through alliances among major parties. Previously, the Congress and AIMIM collaborated to facilitate an unopposed election of the AIMIM candidate. Subsequently, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and AIMIM worked together to ensure a BRS candidate’s unopposed election. In the current election cycle, the Congress abstained from contesting, effectively allotting the seat to AIMIM. However, the unexpected participation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has necessitated the conduct of polling.
The electoral composition includes 112 voters, with AIMIM holding a significant portion: 41 corporators and 9 ex-officio members, totaling 55 votes. The BRS possesses 31 votes, while the BJP has 26. Despite the BJP’s entry into the fray, AIMIM’s numerical advantage positions them favorably. BJP leaders have indicated potential support from BRS members and are appealing for cross-party votes.
Candidates who have filed nominations include Gautham Rao from the BJP and Mirza Riaz ul Hassan Effendi from AIMIM, along with two independent candidates. The nomination scrutiny is scheduled for April 7, with the withdrawal deadline on April 9. Polling is set for April 23 at two polling stations within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) headquarters, and the vote count will occur on April 25.
In response to the election dynamics, AIMIM’s candidate, Mirza Riaz ul Hassan Effendi, expressed confidence in securing victory, stating that the BJP’s participation is merely symbolic. Conversely, BJP’s candidate, Gautham Rao, urged members to vote beyond party lines to challenge AIMIM’s influence.
