I don’t know what is CPI or CPM. Yes, there were some protestors with red flags demanding amenities said to be on behalf of us. I don’t think they had anything to do with politics and elections,’ Azeem, a vegetable vendor, who dwells in a slum in Old City, told TSI. He is absolutely right as the ‘red’ protestors failed to even open their score.
During the general elections in May 2009, there were speculations about the possible defeat of Asad, also the successor of the party leadership after the demise of his father in October 2008. Owing to the exercise of delimitation of constituencies, the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency, comprising Malakpet, Karwan, Goshamahal, Charminar, Chandrayanagutta, Yakutpura and Bahadurpura Assembly segments, has a whopping 70 per cent Muslim electorate. The TDP, allied with TRS and the Left, strategically fielded Zahid Ali Khan, editor of Urdu daily Siasat, to split Muslim votes. Since Prajarajyam was also in the fray, the Chiranjeevi factor gave further impetus to such speculations. As the Owaisis are Sunnis, even sectarian disparities between the ‘elitist’ Sunnis and poor Shias were taken into consideration. The large-scale migration of Shias from the rural areas and towns in Telangana districts to Hyderabad after police action, made them submissive before the Sunnis.
But to the dismay of poll pundits, Asad won and that too by 1.10 lakh votes. "Vexed by the dominance of the minority Sunnis, the majority Shias were about to revolt and the mutiny was anticipated in the 2009 general elections,” a psephologist, who does not want to be named, tells TSI.
However, the good show by MiM in the recent polls for the GHMC has thrown all analyses out of the window. It has proved that it is not religious possessiveness that keeps the Owaisi family flag flying but it is the irrevocable ‘faith’ of the old city inhabitants that keeps this dynasty in the saddle.
“Muslim ethnicity is steadily maintained and intensified in the region. Recurrent political changes have heightened Muslim insecurity here. This perhaps has resulted in the creation blind faith in the indispensibility of the Owaisis,” the psephologist explains.
Asaduddin Owaisi rebuffs the analyses. “Voters have faith in MiM. Our party has always addressed people’s grievances. That is why this faith is triumphant at all times,” he says.
During the general elections in May 2009, there were speculations about the possible defeat of Asad, also the successor of the party leadership after the demise of his father in October 2008. Owing to the exercise of delimitation of constituencies, the Hyderabad parliamentary constituency, comprising Malakpet, Karwan, Goshamahal, Charminar, Chandrayanagutta, Yakutpura and Bahadurpura Assembly segments, has a whopping 70 per cent Muslim electorate. The TDP, allied with TRS and the Left, strategically fielded Zahid Ali Khan, editor of Urdu daily Siasat, to split Muslim votes. Since Prajarajyam was also in the fray, the Chiranjeevi factor gave further impetus to such speculations. As the Owaisis are Sunnis, even sectarian disparities between the ‘elitist’ Sunnis and poor Shias were taken into consideration. The large-scale migration of Shias from the rural areas and towns in Telangana districts to Hyderabad after police action, made them submissive before the Sunnis.
But to the dismay of poll pundits, Asad won and that too by 1.10 lakh votes. "Vexed by the dominance of the minority Sunnis, the majority Shias were about to revolt and the mutiny was anticipated in the 2009 general elections,” a psephologist, who does not want to be named, tells TSI.
However, the good show by MiM in the recent polls for the GHMC has thrown all analyses out of the window. It has proved that it is not religious possessiveness that keeps the Owaisi family flag flying but it is the irrevocable ‘faith’ of the old city inhabitants that keeps this dynasty in the saddle.
“Muslim ethnicity is steadily maintained and intensified in the region. Recurrent political changes have heightened Muslim insecurity here. This perhaps has resulted in the creation blind faith in the indispensibility of the Owaisis,” the psephologist explains.
Asaduddin Owaisi rebuffs the analyses. “Voters have faith in MiM. Our party has always addressed people’s grievances. That is why this faith is triumphant at all times,” he says.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is my favourite festival... but I feel, we must do something about the water contamination that happens as a result.” The sight of dead fish washed ashore has also invoked hue and cry from environmentalists about protection of the flora and fauna. So does that mean we do away with what has been a part of our culture for centuries? Certainly not! The solution is to settle for more environment friendly alternatives and do away with environmentally avoidable customs. Use of bio-degradable material such as natural clay or even imitations made of plastic and metal can re- place POP idols without compromising either tradition or the environment. Immersions in water tanks instead of natural water bodies will ensure that the aquatic life that depends on them is not affected. Along with preservation of tradition what is also crucial is the maintenance of ecological system. And, if festivals are a way to please the Gods, then why should nature itself, which again is a creation of the same God, bear the brunt?
Indian consumers will have such off erings under one umbrella and in the festival market there’s a huge demand for home furnishing & furniture,” feels Mahesh J. Shah, CEO, Home Solutions Retail India Ltd. Diwali is the time when Indian consumers are seen fanatically occupied buying white goods, which the Tatas & Ambanis are banking on. Reasons Ajay Baijal, President, Consumer Durables, Reliance Retail Ltd, “You have to give the widest choice and when consumers will be making more than one purchase during the festival, you need to have all types of electronic goods.” Ratan Tata’s consumer durable retailing venture – Chroma is gung ho with expansion plans and by 2008, the total number of Chroma & Westside stores will be close to a 100. So, customers can indeed rest assured regarding a bonanza of sorts this festive season when they go hunting for bargains, as retailers, big & small, will be looking to squeeze their margins to the hilt during this critically important period, to undermine each other. And the fireworks have just begun!!!