MIM breaks alliance with Congress, UPA over temple near Charminar

Upset over allowing the renovation of a temple near the Charminar, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) today withdrew support to the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh and the UPA at the Centre. The party broke its alliance with the Congress accusing the ruling party in the state and the Centre of high handedness over allowing the renovation of a temple near the Charminar in the Old City area of Hyderabad, CNN IBN reported. The seven MLAs the party has in the Andhra Pradesh assembly and one MP at the Centre. The MIM hinted that it could back YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy. [caption id=“attachment_522485” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Will the Congress government fall over the temple near the Charminar? Reuters[/caption] “We are disappointed with state government’s inaction over several minority issues. We are withdrawing support, ending 14 year relation. We will expose the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh. Jagan Reddy is a friend. Kiran Kumar Reddy was a friend. We will see how 2014 elections plays out,” MIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi told CNN IBN. The support of the MIM was considered important for the stability of Congress government in the state. Congress currently has 155 MLAs in the 294-member House though loyalty of some of its legislators is in doubt as they are believed to be close to YSR Congress led by Jaganmohan Reddy. The party had condemned the police action of taking MIM legislators and others into custody when they were proceeding towards Charminar on Sunday. Tension prevailed in the Old City area of Hyderabad today as there were reports of a group holding a protest rally to the Bhagyashree temple that is near the Charminar. Armed policemen were seen patrolling the streets in communally sensitive localities. with inputs from PTI