Politics
Owaisi Brothers Urge Voters To 'Avoid Overconfidence', 'Exercise Democratic Rights' As AIMIM Bastions Record Poor Polling Percentage
AIMIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi campaigns in Hyderabad Old City.
In a disappointing turn of events during the Telangana Assembly elections, the Yakutpura constituency, a stronghold of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), reported a polling percentage of 27.87 per cent on Thursday.
Similar to most constituencies in the Hyderabad district, including Yakutpura and others in the Old City, the polling day witnessed a sluggish start.
Other constituencies traditionally dominated by AIMIM also experienced low polling percentages. Nampally, currently contested by AIMIM's Majid Hussain against Congress' Feroz Khan, recorded just 32 per cent polling. Likewise, Malakpet exhibited a modest polling percentage of 36.90.
Despite fervent appeals from AIMIM leaders Asaduddin and Akbaruddin Owaisi to boost voter turnout in their election campaign speeches, the polling percentages remained low.
According to The Hindu, Asaduddin Owaisi, who represents Hyderabad in the Lok Sabha, had urged voters not to take their democratic right for granted, cautioning against assuming the election outcomes and avoiding overconfidence.
Local residents familiar with developments in the Old City of Hyderabad suggested that a reluctance to cast votes may be rooted in the perception that AIMIM, facing little or no opposition with strong candidates, would inevitably secure victory. Additionally, there was a prevailing opinion that little would change.
"Many people in the Old City feel that whether one votes for them or not, AIMIM will win. It is a longstanding belief," commented M A Kareem, a resident of Sultan Shahi. Others pointed out that dissatisfaction with candidates contributed to the low voter turnout.
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