Hyderabad: Akbaruddin Owaisi, the MIM floor leader, warned the ruling Congress about the upcoming GHMC polls. He stated that unless the law and order situation improves and police behavior changes, the Congress might face backlash from the public. He suggested that poaching might be the only way to influence city politics.
During a discussion on demands for grants in the Legislative Assembly, Akbaruddin sarcastically noted that the Congress, lacking numbers in the city, had to poach from BRS. He expressed doubt that the party could turn the tide in its favor by the next GHMC polls without addressing law and order issues. “You lack numbers in the city. GHMC elections are coming, and people are unhappy with police behavior. You are forced to poach. This won’t change if the situation continues,” he said.
Akbaruddin contradicted the government’s claims about law and order. He stated that, despite the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister’s assurances, crimes like murders have increased. He alleged that police in Old City were beating youth with lathis after 11 pm, while other parts of the city allowed wine shops to operate late. “These police ensure everyone sleeps early, but crimes still happen during the day. By 10:30 pm, everyone is forced inside, but wine shops stay open late, even near the Commissioner’s office. I will file a PIL in High Court if police excesses don’t stop,” he added.
He called on the government to impose total prohibition in the State to control crime. If not, he suggested renaming the Excise and Prohibition Department to just the Excise Department.
“I urge you to adopt the Gandhian goal of total prohibition. During NTR’s time, total prohibition was adopted but later reversed. I request the government to allocate funds for campaigns discouraging alcohol consumption,” Akbaruddin urged.
