Politician’s life is meant for self-less service to the people” - Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi, MP

 - Omer Farooq

He was a promising student in the college, but he was compelled to discontinue his graduation course in the second year. A man of commitment for the upliftment of the minorities irrespective of community still is being criticised and branded with chauvinism.

He had been and is being elected as people’s representative continuously, but as member of the Party that always occupied the opposition bench; his efforts for the development of his constituency were not completely cherished.

He was instrumental in setting up the country’s first engineering and technology institute for the minorities’ welfare. For the poor and deprived citizens’ health, he established two hospitals that are doing yeomen service for protecting people’s health by providing medical care, at the lowest possible expenditure.

He was elected five times as Legislator to the state Assembly, consecutively. As recognition to his services to the people, they had elected him to the Lok Sabha for the sixth successive time from the same constituency in the year 1999. Of course, for the past four decades his Party men reposed faith in him as Chief of the Party.

Mr Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi, Chief of the All India Majlis Ithehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Member of Parliament from Charminar constituency, shares his thoughts and feelings with HamaraShehar.com

Q: What prompted you to turn into a politician? What were your plans during early life when you were not a politician?

A: Right from my student life, I have dreamt of taking up courses that will be useful in serving common people of the society. Mr. Abdul Wahad Owaisi, my father, founded AIMIM Party in 1927 to take care of the minorities’ interests.

Way back in 1958, he was arrested on various reasons and was sent to jail. The Party workers and their interests were badly affected with this corollary. The Party men resolved to call on me to take charge of the Party, succeeding the founder. Considering the situation prevailing, I quit my Bachelor of Arts course at Aligarh University in second year and took over the reigns of the Party.

Q: What were your priorities when you became the Chief of a political party at the early age of 26?

A: The priorities of the Party were pre-determined by the founder, Mr. Abdul Wahad. The motive was always to cater to the needs of the minorities, who are being neglected by the governments at the state and the centre. Immediately after I took charge of the Party, I put in all the efforts to take the Party’s ideals to the common man, by reorganising the structure. Fellow Party workers too worked to their best in ascertaining the problems and issues related to the minorities. My self and party representatives to the legislature fought with the governments, almost in every session, to protect the constitutional rights and privileges of the minorities.

Q: Your were a legislator for five times and now as Lok Sabha Member for the sixth successive time. How far do you think, you achieved the ideals of the Party?

A: From day one, after joining the party, irrespective of whether being a representative to the legislature or not, my sole goal was to bring down the constitutional rights and responsibilities of the minorities, with in reach of common citizen. In the state Assembly, I voiced the plights of people of the constituency. With the advent of being a Lok Sabha member, I could raise many a state problem that included proper promulgation of fundamental rights of the people.

Q: Can you tell us about the projects taken up by the AIMIM for people’s welfare?

A: Following the regulations laid down in the Article 30 of the Constitution, the first ever Engineering and Technology Educational Institution in the country, for the minorities was set up at Hyderabad. The Deccan College of Engineering and Technology, which is managed by a Board of Professionals, expanded in due course of time. Courses like Master of Business Administration, Computer Applications, Science, and Technical Trades are now available to the minorities, which were earlier unreachable both in terms of admissions and on economical grounds.

Two hospitals are in operation, offering medical and health services to the poor and needy. Both the hospitals are run on a non-profit basis. Owaisi Hospital at Santosh Nagar grew to a 1,050 bed capacity and the Asra Hospital at Moghulpura is with 350 beds.

Q: How are your plans for the near future?

A: We realised the fact that, illiteracy is a hindrance to the development of people. Considering the economic situation of the people and the necessity of education, the Party proposed to run primary and informal schools at many places in the Charminar Parliamentary Constituency. Through these schools, we will be able to generate some employment and impart education. In the present scenario and prevalence of global village concept, literacy becomes the prime need after food, clothing, and shelter.

Q: What is your reaction to the charges that AIMIM is constrained to a specific community?

A: Well, let those criticise who does it for the sake of it. When people already recognised the functioning of the Party on grounds of humanity but not on community, we do not have to give ear to those charges. They should note few things before commenting on us. Are the educational institutions set up giving admissions to students of one community, is that the hospitals providing medicare to only one community. When they look at the political angle, there too they have the answer. Former Mayor Mr Allampalli Pochaiah, representing the party, did he symbolise only one community. They should keep their brains and eyes open before criticising others.

Q: What is your opinion about the state and Central governments’ governance?

A: Be it Telugu Desam Party or Congress in power in the state, none of them are committed for the development of the down trodden. Had they been loyal to the electorate, Andhra Pradesh should become Model State in the country for development.

When it comes to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre, they hardly find time, to look at the people’s plights, as their time is dedicated for settling the infighting issues. The real face of the NDA government and its governance ability are proved naked with the Tehelka expose. The five state elections are on the cards and people will definitely teach a lesson to those, who comprised their offices for “self-interests”.

Q: There are rumours spreading that former cricketer Mohammed Azaharuddin might seek AIMIM shelter to foray into political ground. Will your party support his candidature?

A: The rumours may become true. I too have a feeling that Mr Azaharuddin might seek shelter in the party. We welcome it. Not only Azaharuddin, every minority community person is welcomed into the party, if they seek it sincerely. Any way, let us speak about the issue when it becomes a reality.

Profile

Mr Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi, born on February 2, 1932, took the AIMIM reigns in 1958. He was elected as Member of Legislative Assembly in 1962 from Pathargatti, in 1967 from Charminar, in 1972 from Yakutpura, in 1978 and 1983 from Charminar Assembly Constituencies. Owaisi was Member of Parliament from Hyderabad Constituency successively in the elections held in 1984, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998. He was elected as MP from the same constituency in 1999.

Contact Information

Party Office Address: All India Majlis Ithehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), 5-6-995, premises of Deccan College of Engineering and Technology, Darussalam, Hyderabad – 500001.

Phones: 24603947 / 24732323 / 24732655 / 24602281 / 24748008.

Availability: Daily between 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 03:00 PM to 07:00 PM. Office is closed on Fridays.

Residence Address: H.No. 3-6-149, Hyderguda, Hyderabad – 500029. Phones: 23220336 / 23225497. Available by appointment only.