Ex-corporator Mohammed Ghouse returns to AIMIM fold

Charminar: A former Corporator who had left the AIMIM during 2016 GHMC elections returned to the party fold on Thursday, triggering speculation that the rebels from the party would rejoin, given the response the party received in recent Bihar elections.

Mohammed Ghouse who was with Congress for almost four years and also contested for MLA seat from Charminar constituency during Assembly elections officially joined the party in presence of MIM Floor Leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, denting the morale of his supporters in the Congress.

As the news went viral on social media, it the AIMIM supporters cheered on the development, while others expressed dismay. Ghouse was taken in Akbaruddin's bullet-proof car to the party headquarters. He was immediately given the primary membership of the party.

Earlier, Mohammed Ghouse represented Shalibanda division as Corporator and later he joined Congress party just before the GHMC election in 2016. His wife contested from Ghansi Bazar in Old City but lost to BJP candidate then.

Ghouse said every Congress party leader was joining Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and he returned to his AIMIM party, which stands against BJP. He expressed optimism of getting an opportunity to contest on AIMIM ticket this time from Ghansi Bazar.

According to party sources, several party leaders and Corporators numbering about 250 have filed nominations with the hope of getting party ticket for 70 divisions it is contesting this time. Most of the prominent corporators in the party wish they remain in the same division, but maximum numbers were offered to neighbouring divisions.

Talabchanchalam's Nasreen Sultana was offered Moghalpura, Kurmaguda's Dr Sameena Begum to Talabchanchalam, Jahanuma's Khaja Mubasheeruddin to Kishanbagh, while Kishanbagh's Mohammed Saleem to Doodh Bowli, Ramnastpura's Mohammed Mubeen to Shastripuram.

A senior party leader said, "After the candidates file the nominations, they would start canvassing and paidaldauras in their respective divisions. The party chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi will also hold huge public meetings. We hope party candidates would win all the seats in Old City."