NIZAMABAD: Taher Bin Hamdan, the Congress party’s candidate from Nizamabad Urban Assembly constituency wishes to go the distance this time. In an interview with Express, Hamdan reveals what he wishes to do if he wins the constituency this time...
Do you have a separate election manifesto for developing Nizamabad Urban Assembly constituency? Candidates of other parties have released manifestos of their own.
No, I do not have a separate election manifesto for Nizamabad Urban. But I do have a vision for its development. I will focus on developing slums, regulation of traffic and development of roads. Also, my experience as a Zilla Parishad chairman in the past will help me develop rural areas.
Your opponents have said that you do not have much personal wealth. They have attacked you on this point in their campaigns.
I have been involved in electoral politics for nearly 43 years. I have worked four times as an election agent for ex minister S Santosh Reddy. During my time in TRS, I worked as election in-charge for three villages, with good results to show in all of them. I have toured Nizamabad with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the 1980s - I once campaigned with her non-stop over a period of 22 hours in a single day.
I have worked as a ZP chairman in the past. I have also contested, and lost, in Assembly polls thrice in the past. In all these years, money was never an issue. How can it be an issue now?
Are you courting people for donations?
No, many people have come forward of their own volition to support me. Their donations have been voluntary. There is a sizeable population of Muslims in Nizamabad. And, you have good relations with the Hindu community. Do you think Muslims will vote for you?
Yes, the people of Nizamabad are mature voters. Results of previous elections stand testimony to their maturity. I am sure all will vote for me; I am a leader to all communities.
Do you think you will get the support of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP D Srinivas?
DS was a senior leader in Congress in the past. He might have switched parties, but I know his heart has always been with Congress. I am sure he will help us win this time.