Decoding AIMIM-Congress frenemy relationship in TG

The political distance between the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the ruling Congress appears to be narrowing in Telangana, with the relationship between the two parties undergoing a significant transformation since the 2023 Assembly elections.

Although AIMIM has been criticising the Congress and its senior leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, at the national level, the political equation between the two parties in Telangana appear to be changing, with AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi openly praising Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s developmental agenda in Hyderabad.

What makes the changing equation obvious is the silence of a party that was once the most aggressive voice against the government in the past. MIM and its MLAs have traditionally taken a confrontational stand on issues concerning minorities and the lack of development in Hyderabad’s Old City, frequently raising their voice both inside and outside the Assembly. This time, however, the party appears to have tamed much of that aggression.

Even as the Congress government completes 1,000 days in office, AIMIM’s criticism has subdued. Significantly, MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, who makes strong interventions in the Assembly, too has remained noticeably quiet. Recently, Asad Owaisi said: ‘We are supporting Revanth Reddy, not any party’, drawing a clear distinction between his support for the Chief Minister and the equation with the Congress. He said “There are many Congress leaders here. We are supporting this government only because of Revanth Reddy,” said Asad. Revanth Reddy, too, unusually praised the Owaisi brothers.

During the 2023 Telangana Assembly election campaign, Asad Owaisi had then referred to Revanth Reddy as ‘RSS-Anna’ and urged voters to stay away from the Congress.

Within the first 1,000 days of the Congress government, the Old City got its Metro project. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy laid the foundation stone for the Old City Metro Rail project at Falaknuma on March 8, 2024. “Old City is the Original Hyderabad. All parties need to unite to develop Original Hyderabad,” the Chief Minister had said.

The years-long pending Old City Metro project was given within months of Congress coming to power. Metro is expected to significantly improve connectivity in the congested Old City, where commuters have for decades struggled with traffic bottlenecks.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MM Farooqui

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M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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