Hyderabad, March 26: Mohammed Mushtaq Mallik, President of Tahreek Muslim Shabban and Convener of Telangana Muslim Joint Action Committee (TMJAC), has stated that Muslim organizations won’t blindly support the Congress or any other party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Mallik emphasized that the Muslim community won’t vote out of fear of the BJP or Narendra Modi. Instead, their votes will be based on the party’s stance and the secular values of individual candidates. He warned Congress against assuming that Muslim voters will automatically choose their candidates, stressing that the party cannot take their support for granted.
Highlighting the lack of inclusivity in the Congress-led government in Telangana, Mallik pointed out the absence of Muslim representation in the cabinet. He criticized the government’s failure to appoint any Muslim leader, despite ample opportunities to do so. Mallik questioned the legitimacy of certain appointments, such as that of journalist Amer Ali Khan as MLC under the Governor’s Quota, knowing the legality issues. Thus, suggesting it was a tactic to mislead the Muslim community.
Mallik further criticized the neglect of Muslims in nominated positions, citing appointments in almost non-existent entities like ‘Grandhalaya Samstha’. He argued that appointments in institutions related to minority welfare were merely symbolic and lacked substance. He questioned the unnecessary attention given to certain corporations, including the Telangana Minorities Finance Corporation. Its chairman does not hold the status of a cabinet minister, he said.
Regarding the conduct of the Congress government, Mallik accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of indirectly disrespecting Muslims since assuming power. He noted the contradictory actions of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who talks about ideological battles with the RSS while accommodating individuals with RSS or BJP affiliations within the party.
Mallik expressed concern over Congress candidates with backgrounds in the RSS or BJP, warning against imposing such leaders on the Muslim community under the guise of secularism. He asserted that Muslim organizations would not endorse such candidates and would actively campaign against them in the upcoming elections.
Mallik announced that the Telangana Muslim JAC would convene soon to determine its future course of action.
