SP may spoil Parvez Hashmi’s party

Congress MLA Parvez Hashmi is confident and doesn’t mince words. “Even if you print my naked picture in your paper, I will win this election,” said a loud Hashmi, who refused to talk to media but posed for the camera, reports Naziya Alvi. See full coverage.

Congress MLA Parvez Hashmi is confident and doesn’t mince words. “Even if you print my naked picture in your paper, I will win this election,” said a loud Hashmi, who refused to talk to media but posed for the camera.

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Though most would attribute his statement to overconfidence, this Congress candidate from Okhla, a Muslim dominated area, isn’t to be taken lightly.

MLA Hashmi has won assembly elections thrice from the same seat in the past. He is now contesting for the fourth time from the area that has a total population of over one-lakh voters.

The constituency comprises largely of the Muslim-dominated Jamia Nagar and two upmarket areas of New Friends Colony and Maharani Bagh.

On Thursday evening, Hashmi was in an informal meeting with 50-odd voters in a crammed lobby of Indian Public School in H-block of Abu-Fazal Enclave in Jamia Nagar. Those present there said they had every reason to support him.

“There is no problem in our area now. Roads, drains, water, and power — everything is in good shape,” said Anwar Ahmad Khan, a retired employee of Delhi electricity department (before privatization) and the RWA president of the block.

Devi Singh, a retired army officer and a resident of the same lane, also echoed Khan’s views. “The MLA even got us a mother dairy. There is absolutely no problem in our area now,” Singh said.

But a few who spoke to us after Hashmi was gone said his silence during the uproar that followed the Batla House shootout would cost him much.

“It was Amar Singh who came and raised his voice against the shootout. Where was our sitting MLA then?” said a voter who did not wish to be named.

Another said they voted for the Congress as they feared the BJP.

“But now we have Samajwadi party (SP) to bank on. Waseem Ghazi is a strong candidate from SP. We are hopeful he will win,” he added.

Dr Masood, a PhD in History from Aligargh University and a former education minister in Mayawati’s cabinet in Uttar Pradesh, is also a favourite amongst those who want change.

“He is a man of integrity and vision. We would definitely like to give him a chance,” said a senior professor of Jamia University.

Dr Masood lately moved out of the BSP to form his own party called National Lok Hind Party.