Can you guess, what the Majlis leaders, Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi, from old city want to learn. Now they want to expand towards south also. They are keen on picking up Telugu. They have already hired Telugu pandits. The Hyderabad MP , who did Barrister-at-law (Lincolns Inn), England, regrets not knowing the regional language.
“I don’t know why I have not learnt Telugu all these years”, he says.Even Akbar is very keen in learning Telugu. It looks like they might campaign in Andhra and Telangana in the local dialect so that they can get some more seats.
Owaisis, who are in the midst of hectic campaign, in UP are keen on learning the official language of the state at the earliest. They feel it is a big drawback for the leaders not knowing the language of the masses. “If I could have articulated in fluent Telugu the way I speak Urdu what impact it would make on the public”, says Asad Owaisi who is planning to make forays in Seemandhra and Telangana.
The ‘Naqeeb-e-Millat’ as he is fondly called, did some loud thinking the other day during a break from his hectic electioneering. “It is not that I do not know Telugu. I understand it but am unable to speak properly”, admits Owaisi.
Talk to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. Talk to him in his own language and it goes to his heart. The Majlis leaders know this pretty well. “Language is the best way of bridging the gaps and dispelling doubts”.
No, not for him is just a smattering of Telugu. He wants to have a thorough grip on the language. Owaisi doesn’t like to go for self-learning materials. He prefers to take the service of a Telugu pundit to learn the language properly.
It sure pays to be multilingual, particularly in politics. Once the heat and dust of elections settles, the first thing on Owais’s agenda is learning Telugu. But it has to be seen what would be the status of the political parties in 2019. Will they sail with TRS or will they go it alone.
For the time being they are together and KCR the CM of Telangana is doing a lot for the welfare of the Minorities. He wants to give them 12 percent reservations. But at the same time he is moving closer to Modi and BJP which is creating some doubts in the minds of MIM.
