Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency: MIM worried about low voters turnout
In the last two or three elections it was observed that in the old city, the poll percentage was lower than the state average.
Hyderabad: MIM leadership is worried about the low polling percentage in Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency. Every leader of the party in his poll-related speeches is expressing concern over the decline in poll percentage. Once Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency was famous for its record in polling, but since the new millennium, the poll percentage in the old city started declining. In the last two or three elections it was observed that in the old city, the poll percentage was lower than the state average.
In the 2014 general elections, Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency recorded only 53 per cent polling, while in 2009 the poll percentage was 52.47 per cent. Contrary to this in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, 69.1 per cent had exercised their voting right. Likewise, in the 1998 elections, 73.16 per cent, in the 1996 elections 63.37 per cent and in the 1991 elections 77.12 per cent voters had turned out.
Seniors said that the poll percentage was higher till 1999 as the voters in the old city were more enthusiastic to exercise their right to vote as they were worried about the winning chances of their favourite candidate. In those days, voters were divided into two camps, one belonged to Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi and the other belonged to his opponent mostly BJP, said Mohammed Abdul Saleem of Moghalpura.
It is pertinent to mention that in the 2003 by-elections of Karwan constituency, a fatwa from an Islamic seminary was circulated by a certain group of youth, which declared impersonation and bogus voting was “haram” in Islam because when a man/woman uses the vote of others, then he/she has to not only change his name but he has to admit a stranger as his/her father or husband.
Meanwhile, BJP candidate for Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency Bhagavanth Rao Pawar on Wednesday accused his rival candidate and MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi of not declaring his income from Telangana state Wakf Board as well as and undervaluing his property in Shastripuram in Rajendranagar. Mr Owaisi, however, refused to make any comment of the allegation.
Mr Rao Pawar, in his complaint to the returning officer, stated that Mr Owaisi has not declared the allowance that he receives from the TS Wakf Board. This income must also be accounted for and the actual value of Mr Owaisi's house in Rajendranagar must be taken into account.
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