All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi recently announced that Belli Ravi Yadav is their candidate from Rajendranagar constituency in the upcoming Telangana Assembly elections. The announcement created ripples as Yadav, who is a corporator from Langar Houz, is the only Hindu candidate among the eight candidates announced so far by the party. (AIMIM is contesting from nine seats and is yet to decide candidate from Bahadurpura).
When asked if it is difficult for him to contest from a new constituency, Yadav said the leader does not make much difference because the party is greater than the leaders. He also said he, like any other AIMIM member, has received full support from the cadre on ground.
News18 talked to Yadav about his reasons for joining the party, the MIM edge and other poll factors.
Q. People are mildly surprised that you are MIM’s candidate because the party is often called communal. What would you say about that?
I joined MIM because I want development. I want development for the locality and the people. The allegation that MIM works only for Muslims is false. People call him communal, but I know how much he cares for the poor and downtrodden. He is a leader of the masses and I can say that because I have been working with him for 22 years. Take a look at MIM candidates once. Some of them come from very humble backgrounds. I am one of those candidates. This is not possible in other parties that operate on money power. I am grateful to my Sadar Sahab (Asaduddin Owaisi) for entrusting me with this honour.
Q: You are an OBC. Do you think that MIM works for backward classes (BCs)?
Owaisi is one of the few leaders who gives a lot of importance to the development of SC, ST and BCs. I am from Other Backward Class and I can testify to that. I will give you an example. If any member of other parties has to meet their party president, they have to first deal with many middlemen. But in MIM, we can directly meet our chief, irrespective of our background. Our party president is a tall political figure in our country, but he is always accessible to his workers and people. All our voters know their leaders by their face and name.
Q: Can you give us some details about your educational background?
I have an ITI degree in electronics, and have been working as a corporator from Langar Houz. I come from a lower middle class background.
Q: What are the main poll issues in Rajendranagar?
Our MLC Mirza Rahmat Baig has been working tirelessly for the people here in Rajendranagar. I will try my best to do whatever is required for more development. Rajendranagar is mainly known for Hyderabad airport. If we are voted to power, we will complete all pending projects.
Q. Is it difficult for you to contest from a constituency which is new to you?
No. It’s all about the party. People are voting for the standards set by the party and they know that we all are its faithful foot soldiers. Therefore, the leader does not make much difference because the party is greater than the leaders. Whichever area AIMIM candidate goes, he receives full support from the cadre on ground.
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