Major party candidates (BJP, Congress) in Hyderabad’s Old City are facing skepticism from voters against the AIMIM party. AIMIM has a strong chance of winning all seven seats this term. Voters perceive candidates from other parties as “political tourists” who are unfamiliar with the constituency and its issues. The accessibility and familiarity of AIMIM candidates with voters contribute to their electoral success.
In the six constituencies of Hyderabad’s Old City, the absence of prominent opposition leaders has limited voting choices for voters. Candidates from major parties like the BJP and Congress lack political clout and voters doubt their chances of winning against AIMIM. The winnability factor of candidates is a major concern for most political parties in the Old City.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party’s stronghold in the Old City has gained attention as it seems likely to secure all seven seats this term. However, the party has not yet released its candidates list. Citizens believe that there are no major leaders in other parties who can defeat AIMIM, leaving voters with limited options. Voters feel that the BJP and Congress have fielded “dummy candidates” who are only there to contest elections, not to defeat AIMIM.
According to political analyst Asif Hussain Sohail, candidates from other parties are seen as “political tourists” who only become visible in the area during elections. These candidates are unfamiliar to citizens and lack knowledge about the constituency’s geography, gender-based voter concerns, and public grievances. In contrast, AIMIM candidates and MLAs are familiar to voters and have been serving for several decades. The accessibility of AIMIM MLAs, who engage with a wide range of constituents, has been a major factor in their consecutive victories over the years.
In Hyderabad, the Majlis party is synonymous with the Owaisi brothers. They have been the political voice for Muslims in the city, and voters consistently elect them as their representatives. The trust and faith in the Majlis party and the Owaisi brothers contribute to their strong vote bank. However, other parties still receive some votes, resulting in a divided vote bank.
The Majlis party has formed a friendly alliance with K Chandrashekhar Rao’s BRS and is supporting all BRS candidates in areas where it is not contesting. AIMIM secured victory in seven assembly constituencies for the first time in 2009 and has maintained its strong presence in its traditional bastion in the Old City.
