HYDERABAD: Former Nampally MLA candidate Feroz Khan has accused AIMIM of large-scale electoral fraud, blaming them for his loss in the 2023 Assembly elections. He claims both BJP and AIMIM collaborated to ensure the Congress party’s defeat in the crucial constituency.
At a media briefing at Gandhi Bhavan, Khan alleged that fake voter IDs were created, and fraudulent votes were added to the electoral rolls in Nampally. He criticized AIMIM for neglecting the Old City and challenged Owaisi to run in other areas like Secunderabad or Jubilee Hills. He stated, “BJP and MIM are two sides of the same coin. What MIM does in Hyderabad, BJP does across India.”
Khan supported Rahul Gandhi‘s call to tackle the alleged vote fraud and offered to provide evidence to the Election Commission, describing the issue as a major “criminal fraud” and an “attack on democracy.” He demanded the Election Commission release the complete digital voter list for public review. Despite multiple complaints, Khan noted no action was taken. He mentioned that although revenue officials initially deployed 100 staff for voter list checking, they disappeared within ten days. After five years of effort, only 10% of fake votes, mostly belonging to deceased individuals, were removed.
Reflecting on the 2018 Assembly election, Khan claimed that fake voting and intimidation led to his 2,000-vote defeat. He warned that if bogus votes persist, Rahul Gandhi’s chances of becoming Prime Minister might be at risk. Khan alleged they caught three individuals casting illegal votes, identifying them as associates of Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
