Hyderabad, May 10 (INN): Hyderabad District Congress Committee (DCC) President and Congress candidate for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency Mohammed Waliullah Sameer has pledged to end communal politics and promote development in Hyderabad’s Old City.
Sameer made his pledge during a massive roadshow on Friday that covered 56 significant areas across various constituencies, starting at Santosh Nagar Mandir Masjid Chowrasta and culminating at Darulshifa Ground. Several senior Congress leaders, including Malakpet In-Charge Shaik Akbar, Charminar In-Charge Mujeebullah Shareef, Bahadurpura In-Charge P. Rajesh, Chandrayangutta In-Charge Boya Naresh, and Yakutpura In-Charge Ravi Raj participated in the mega roadshow.
Addressing the media, Sameer passionately urged the public to support Congress, emphasising the need to reject communal politics in favour of unity and progress. “It’s time to say no to divisive rhetoric and yes to a united, thriving Hyderabad,” he declared.
He outlined a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate the Old City, focusing on major infrastructure projects and social programs. Sameer announced 20 key promises he intends to fulfill if elected, emphasising the Congress’s commitment to providing 5,000 jobs for Hyderabad’s youth and subsidised loans for 50,000 young entrepreneurs.
Additionally, Sameer promised to improve education in the Old City by building an international school and assured all poor families would have access to free and quality healthcare. He also reaffirmed Congress’s commitment to completing the Old City Metro Rail project during its current term. To boost the area’s development, Sameer pledged to secure Rs 5,000 crore for Old City infrastructure, with plans to lay the foundation stone for a super-speciality hospital within 100 days of coming to power. He also assured that Osmania General Hospital would be upgraded, with a Rs 500 crore budget proposal in place.
The Congress candidate highlighted his party’s plans to revitalise historic markets such as Laad Bazar, Pathergatti, Madina Market, and Mir Alam Mandi to boost tourism. Additionally, Sameer proposed strengthening SETWIN, a government-owned enterprise that provides job-oriented training programs.
Sameer criticised the MIM leadership, particularly President Asaduddin Owaisi, for damaging the image of Hyderabad’s Old City. He claimed that the provocative and communal speeches from MIM leaders have led to discrimination against the Old City’s residents, with banks and financial institutions blacklisting them. He expressed his determination to change this perception by demonstrating that Hyderabad’s residents are peace-loving and soft-spoken.
He also denounced Asaduddin Owaisi for criticising Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who alleged that MIM collaborates with BJP to divide votes. He pointed to instances where MIM fielded candidates to benefit the BJP, such as in Maharashtra, Bihar, and Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills constituency during the Assembly elections, which indirectly helped the BRS defeat Congress candidate Md Azharuddin.
Sameer urged the people of Hyderabad to realise that MIM and the Owaisi brothers act as the BJP’s B-Team, undermining the interests of Muslims and other minorities. He stressed the importance of defeating MIM in the upcoming elections to protect these communities’ interests and restore genuine Muslim leadership in Hyderabad. (INN)