MIM, MBT leaders spar over rigging

Yakutpura: Activists of MIM and MBT clashed over rumours of rigging in Yakutpura constituency, but timely intervention of the police helped quell any untoward incident. MIM youth leader Yasser Arafat and MBT leader Amjedullah Khan came face to face and started arguing over the issue of alleged rigging in the constituency. Meanwhile, the police intervened and tried to avert brawl between the two. MBT leader alleged that MIM workers were seen distributing money and using ink remover within 100 meters of four polling stations and that the officials were not doing anything. 

“Inspector of Bhawani Nagar was sleeping, even as violations were taking place. MIM workers attacked and locked MBT workers inside four polling stations in Imam Bakhs Memorial High School, Rein Bazar, when they objected to bogus voting. The MIM candidate himself was seen travelling with party flag and party symbol, which is gross violation of the Election Commission’s orders.  I made complains to the police number of times, but no action has been taken to remove party flag and symbol of candidate on car,” he said. Meanwhile, MIM candidate Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri refuted that the party was involved in this kind of activity. “They (MBT agents) are trying to stop people from voting, and public complained to the police officials, who are taking necessary action,” he said.

On the other hand, tensions were also prevailed at Dynamic Public High School in Dabeerpura and police had to do lathi charge to chase away the youngsters who were attempting to create trouble. Later holding a press conference, MBT spokesperson Amjedullah Khan alleged that all the complaints, including bogus votes to the Election Commission, was not taken seriously by the officials. There are 5.8 lakh bogus votes in the entire Hyderabad City and as many as 80,000 in Yakutpura alone. The EC has claimed that they had removed bogus votes, while representing in the High Court, but they were not removed. “EC has become a defunct body, after code had come into force,” he alleged.

While the BJP candidate Syeda Shahzadi from Chandrayangutta got furious against the bogus votes. She protested in front of a polling booth, where scores of voters stood, as they were allegedly listed out in Rakshapuram division under Chandrayangutta constituency. “Many people were agitated, as their names went missing from the voter lists. They protested over the issue in front of polling station in Rakshapuram. They expressed anger over deletion of their names from the electoral list,” said Shahzadi  .