Congress intensifies efforts to convince MIM

The ruling Congress party has intensified its efforts to convince the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen to revise its decision of severing ties from the Congress party, both at the Centre and State levels.

According to sources, Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir, Rajya Sabha member MA Khan and a few other Congress leaders spoke to MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and his younger brother Akbaruddin Owaisi on Tuesday asking them to reconsider their decision. However, sources say that the MIM leaders showed no signs of getting convinced.

Meanwhile, Rajanarasimha called on Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday at latter's camp office to discuss the latest political situation. He reportedly apprised the Chief Minister of outcome of informal talks that the Congress leaders held with the MIM leaders. They also discussed the possible impact of MIM's decision in near future. However, both the leaders were fully convinced that there was no immediate threat to their government.

On the other side, some Congress leaders strongly believe that the MIM leaders might re-consider their decision. This was indicated from the fact that the MIM was yet to send a formal letter to Governor ESL Narasimhan about withdrawal of their support to the Congress Government. Although MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi, in his presser held on Monday, informed that a letter was already faxed to President of India Pranab Mukherjee regarding withdrawal of support to UPA Government, he did not specify when the party leaders would be meeting the Governor.

It may be mentioned that during the emergency meeting with cabinet ministers held on Monday evening, the Chief Minister has clarified that the government neither favoured any community nor violated the High Court orders in the Bhagyalakshmi Temple issue. In fact, he reportedly feigned ignorance about the entire episode stating that it was left to the local administration and police and was considered as a law and order issue. However, the MIM turned it into a political controversy by withdrawing support, the Chief Minister reportedly said.

A few Congress leaders are trying to find an amicable solution to the entire controversy by ensuring that the Congress Government does not sound 'apologetic' and the MIM too looks 'victorious' than 'compromised'.