Greater Hyderabad MIM mayor may complete term

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Despite the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) snapping its ties with ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress is not in a position to remove MIM's mayor in Greater Hyderabad.

Mohammed Majid Hussain, who took over as the mayor Jan 5, is likely to complete his two-year term under the power sharing pact between the two parties though he may not have a smooth sailing any more.

The two parties are sharing power in the 150-member Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The MIM got the mayor's post after Congress' Banda Kartika Reddy completed two years in office.

MIM's Jaffer Hussain Meraj was deputy mayor for two years and Congress' Raj Kumar currently holds the post.

The MIM, which withdrew support to the Congress government Monday, is confident that the Congress cannot do anything to remove Majid Hussain.

The GHMC Act says an incumbent mayor cannot be removed even through no-confidence till he or she completed three years from the date of assuming charge.

The MIM, however, is ready for any eventuality. Its chief Asaduddin Owaisi has made this clear.

"We supported them (Congress) for two years. Now it is our right to rule for two years. If (chief minister) Kiran Kumar Reddy wants to show his power, let him do. We have no love for positions of power," said Owaisi, a MP from Hyderabad.

However, Mohammed Majid Hussain, who at the age of 31 became the youngest mayor in the country, may find the going tough in the changed political situation.

Political analysts say the standing committee presided over by the mayor may not get to function smoothly as MIM has snapped ties with Congress.

In 2009, the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 52 seats. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) won 45 seats while MIM emerged the kingmaker with 43 seats.