Andhra Pradesh: MIM not to join TRS government

Hyderabad: Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Thursday ruled out joining the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government in Telangana but said it is ready to extend issue-based support.

MIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi Thursday met TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who is set to become the first chief minister of newly-created Telangana state. "We are not interested in occupying important posts of power. We are only interested to see development takes place," MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi told reporters when asked if the party would join the TRS government. Asaduddin, who has been re-elected as Hyderabad MP for the third consecutive time, termed the meeting positive. He hoped that under Rao`s leadership Telangana would become number one state in the country. The MIM chief submitted to Rao a detailed plan for the development of Hyderabad at a cost of Rs.1,000 crore. The chief minister designate agreed to look into it. "I am sure Hyderabad will definitely emerge as a place which is secure and the infrastructure issues which are there will be addressed," said Asaduddin, who also suggested that Telangana government emblem should carry the picture of historic Charminar. The MIM leaders urged the TRS chief to declare Urdu as the official language. They also wanted the Telangana government to take all necessary steps to protect the lives and property of the minorities. The MIM and TRS leaders also believed to have discussed electoral alliance between the two parties for the coming elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The meeting took place two days after some TRS leaders met Owaisi brothers, seeking MIM support to the government. By bagging 63 seats in 119-member Telangana assembly, the TRS has secured a simple majority. However, the TRS is keen to have MIM`s support for smooth governance. MIM, a formidable force in Hyderabad, has won seven seats in the assembly and also retained Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat.