'Old City Declaration': Hyderabad Congress’ poll weapon against BRS, MIM

Hyderabad: Hyderabad District Congress Committee (DCC) President Sameer Waliullah said preparation of the Old City Declaration was nearing completion.

The declaration will address a host of issues that have plagued the Old City for years, revealing the stark neglect by the MIM and BRS government.

Sameer Waliullah, along with TPCC spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin and other Congress leaders, held separate meetings with TDP Vice President Ali Masqati, Tahreek Muslim Shabbir President Mohammed Mushtaq Mallik, MBT Spokesperson Amjedullah Khan, senior TDP leader & ex-Corporator Muzaffarullah Khan, and heads of a few other prominent organizations. They discussed various issues about the Old City and possible solutions to those problems which should be included in the Congress manifesto.

"We are covering about 25 broader issues related to the Old City, along with suggesting possible solutions," Waliullah said.

He emphasized that the upcoming Old City Declaration would detail these issues and more, coupled with specific resolutions. He said there would be a distinctive shift in the narrative in the coming Assembly elections in the Old City, with the Congress determined to spotlight public concerns.

Sameer Waliullah also informed that several big personalities from the Old City would be officially joining the Congress party in the next few days. They include leaders of BRS, TDP MIM, and other parties.

He said that leaders of various organizations gave valuable inputs about the blatant neglect of the Old City by the BRS government and MIM. They include insufficient basic civic amenities, deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate focus on education, a rise in unemployment rates, financial constraints, and complete neglect of healthcare, he said.

The Congress leader alleged that the Old City has been neglected for years, with insufficient basic civic amenities, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of focus on education and healthcare. "The Old City lacks adequate roads, drainage, and garbage disposal systems, which has led to widespread pollution and health problems. The Old City's infrastructure is in a state of disrepair, with potholed roads, overflowing drains, and crumbling buildings. Many schools and colleges in this region are overcrowded and under-resourced, and the dropout rate is high,” he said.

Further, he said that the Old City has a high unemployment rate, especially among young people, due to a lack of job opportunities and a lack of skills training. Banks reportedly refuse loans to people in the Old City, and financial institutions blacklist Old City locales, making it difficult for businesses to start and grow. There has been no new hospital established in the Old City in the last 10 years, and no funds have been allocated for upgrading Osmania General Hospital and other government hospitals or Primary Health Centres, he alleged.

Another significant point of contention is the lack of progress on the Metro Rail initiative in the Old City. Despite promises made as recently as July 10, 2023, by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, there seems to be little to no ground action.

Sameer Wailullah said these were just some of the critical issues facing the Old City. "The Congress party is committed to addressing these issues and improving the lives of the people of the Old City," he said.

Sameer Waliullah stressed the need for the Old City's residents to be more aware and vocal about their concerns. "Only when the inhabitants of the Old City become more sensitized to their issues will political parties act responsibly and with increased accountability," he stated.