In the electoral battle for Hyderabad's Lok Sabha seat, the spotlight hitherto had been on AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and BJP's aspirant Madhavi Lata. But shockwaves rippled through when on Monday, Akbaruddin Owaisi, Asaduddin's brother and the sitting MLA from Chandrayangutta, threw his hat into the ring, unleashing a wave of astonishment. There's rising conjecture - will we witness the 'Owaisi Brothers' face off in Hyderabad? The move begs the question: Why would AIMIM position two influential candidates in the fray?
Rest assured, this is not a tale of rebellion, nor is Akbaruddin poised to challenge his brother in Hyderabad. In what's a strategic move by AIMIM, Akbaruddin Owaisi's nomination serves as the alternative or 'backup' player in this political match. But what sparked this need for a substitute?
AIMIM's Strategic Nomination
In case Asaduddin Owaisi’s application gets rejected for any reason, Akbaruddin’s candidature would act as a safety net, ensuring AIMIM's presence in the election stays intact. This concept of enlisting a standby isn’t new for AIMIM; such tactics were also visible in the state assembly elections, where Akbaruddin had filed his nomination from Chandrayangutta, subsequently followed by his son Nooruddin Owaisi's application, who later retracted his bid.
A Glance at Hyderabad's Lok Sabha Seat
Regarded as the fortress of the Owaisi family, AIMIM has clinched victory in Hyderabad since 1984. Demographics of this constituency show a mix of approximately 60 percent Muslim and 40 percent Hindu populations. The seat boasts a victorious streak with AIMIM's patriarch, the late Salahuddin Owaisi, winning six consecutive elections from 1984 to 1999, and Asaduddin Owaisi carrying the legacy from 2004 to 2019, marking a ten-term reign by the Owaisi clan.
Surat's Congress Candidate Nomination Nullification
The recent incident at the Surat Lok Sabha seat illustratively portrays how an election narrative can dramatically veer when a candidate's nomination is voided and no alternative is in the wings, resulting in BJP's unforeseen unopposed triumph.
What Exactly is a Backup Candidate?
In cases of nomination rejection due to scrutinization by election officials or untimely demise, an alternative candidate becomes the new face of the party. Most major political entities adopt this approach, fielding a 'cover' candidate to secure their stakes until the withdrawal date. Once the prime candidate is green-lighted, the substitute's affidavit is overridden. In hotly-contested territories, some parties even propel such candidates forward as independent contenders.
AIMIM's backup strategy in Hyderabad follows suit, safeguarding their political grounds, lest principal candidate Asaduddin Owaisi faces an unexpected nomination dismissal.
Why Do Candidates Submit Multiple Sets of Nomination?
Electoral rules mandate that a candidate presents three to four sets of nominations, ensuring no document or information slips through the cracks, each serving as a failsafe. This mitigates the risk of disqualification due to lost or flawed paperwork and upholds the integrity of the candidacy.
