All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi is keen on expanding his party beyond the old city of Hyderabad and win more seats from outside in next elections. “You are going to watch an increase not only in our seats but also base among voters as we are poised for an expansion,” he said. After severing his links with the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh and the UPA at the Centre two months ago, Asaduddin has announced his plans to strengthen his party in Rayalaseema and Telangana districts. However at a strategic MIM meeting it was also decided to expand the party in areas outside AP; especially those that were part of the erstwhile Hyderabad state ruled by the Nizam such as Aurangabad and Nanded.
Recently, the MIM won seats in the Nanded municipal corporation and emerged as the second largest party after Congress. Much to its surprise, the party has been getting supporters in Parbani and Aurangabad too. The Muslim populated areas in Aurangabad and Nanded witnessed protest rallies after the Dhule riots in Maharashtra last month.
It was based on the local MIM unit’s invitation in Aurangabad and Nanded, Owaisi was to attend two meetings on 31 January and 1 February in these cities. But, sensing trouble, Aurangabad police commissioner Sanjay Kumar served a prohibitory notice to Owaisi in Hyderabad on 30 January. Owaisi was warned of arrest if he ignored the notice and entered Maharashtra. Owaisi had stayed back.