AIMIM still not clear on party expansion in TS
Deccan ChronicleHYDERABAD: The AIMIM appears to be in no mood to upset “friendly ally” BRS by expanding its electoral battle beyond the capital city of Hyderabad and forcing a division in the secular vote. What comes as a surprise is that Baig, who lost the 2018 Assembly polls from Rajendranagar, was considered as a strong contender this time but the MIM took him out of the fray leaving room for speculation that the party might restrict itself to the seven seats which it holds. “It is too early to say that we will be restricting to seven seats but the recent threat of floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi to field party candidates in 50 Assembly segments shall not be taken seriously,” a senior party leader said. Though the Opposition parties tried to dub his party as the B team of the BJP, Owaisi hit back holding the Congress’ dismal performance and poor leadership responsible for the growth of saffron brigade. Sources close to Owaisi told Deccan Chronicle that he would be very cautious in taking a final call on fielding party candidates beyond Hyderabad as the last thing the party would wish for is the replacement of the BRS government with that of the BJP.