Hyderabad New Mayor on Image Makeover Spree

The newly elected Mayor Mohammed Majid Hussain of MIM took charge as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) mayor on Thursday. Soon after he was declared elected on Tuesday, Majid Hussain had vowed to take up an image makeover of Greater Hyderabad.

As one walks into the chambers of the newly-elected Mayor, Mohammed Majid Hussain, one cannot but take note of the image makeover he has taken up. As a first step, he got the three framed photographs - that of President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy - replaced with former MIM president the late Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi and his sons, MP Asaduddin Owaisi and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi.

The replacement of the portraits raised several eyebrows. However, the mayor seemed visibly happy. He arrived at his office in a huge procession from the MIM headquarters in Darussalam. He also took the opportunity to set the record straight by making his self-image makeover too. Earlier it was reported in a section of the media that he faces at least seven criminal cases, including that of intimidation and attempt to murder.

Making light of the reports in media, Majid Hussain said "I have been framed. The cases against me were booked when I went to support locals who were facing some problems," he told. He further said the cases were foisted against him only after he became a corporator. "Prior to that, there were no such cases against me. As a public representative, I have to support the public when they are in problems and protect them. I cannot shy away from my responsibilities and will continue to do so whenever local people require my help," he asserted.

Besides clarifying, the new mayor also unveiled some of his plans for the city. "I will make Greater Hyderabad look altogether different. But I cannot make any commitment right now," he said.