Hyderabad: The Hyderabad incharge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar’s recent visit to parts of AIMIM strongholds has caused controversy among contested Assembly candidates. The Minister’s ‘friendly approach’ with AIMIM leaders was strongly opposed by candidates Feroz Khan and Mohammed Azharuddin during a party meeting at Gandhi Bhavan, leading Ponnam to leave abruptly.
On March 5, Ponnam Prabhakar was invited by MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi to inaugurate Anganwadi schools under Chandrayangutta Assembly constituency. However, his positive stance towards MIM did not sit well with local Congress leadership. This ‘friendly approach’ was seen as sending the wrong message, sparking uproar during the meeting with contested Assembly candidates at Gandhi Bhavan. An argument ensued between the Minister and Feroz Khan, who is vying for a Parliamentary seat in Hyderabad, with support from cricketer-politician Azharuddin, prompting Ponnam to leave suddenly.
“We have been fighting against MIM here, but Ponnam’s actions alongside MIM leaders, ignoring local politics, have given them a political advantage and allowed them to portray it as a compromise. When questioned, Ponnam argued that as a Minister, he must visit various places to gain the people’s confidence. However, the way MIM is presenting this on social media is distressing to us,” explained a senior leader to The Hans India.
