2024 Polls: ‘Heera Group Scam’ kingpin Nowhera Shaik firm on challenging Asad Owaisi
Nowhera Shaik, CEO of Heera Group who is accused of duping over 1.72 lakh investors of around 5,600 crore Indian rupees, has once again resolved to contest the 2024 Parliamentary Elections against sitting Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
[Standing in front of the Supreme Court of India, Nowhera Shaik in a video message promised that she will return every rupee she has taken from the Heera Gold investors.]
Hyderabad: Nowhera Shaik, CEO of Heera Group who is accused of duping over 1.72 lakh investors of around 5,600 crore Indian rupees, has once again resolved to contest the 2024 Parliamentary Elections against sitting Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
Nowhera Shaikh had announced in November 2023 her desire to contest against Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief and Hyderabad MP since 2004.
Talking to media at the Somajiguda Press Club in Hyderabad Tuesday April 16, 2024, Nowhera Shaikh reiterated her decision to contest 2024 elections from Hyderabad and outlined her comprehensive plan to address the City's multifaceted challenges, focusing on economic development, healthcare accessibility, cultural preservation, women's empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
"Hyderabad holds immense potential as a hub of innovation, culture, and diversity. However, to realize this potential fully, it requires visionary leadership and effective governance. I felt compelled to step into the realm of politics to advocate for the interests and aspirations of Hyderabad's residents, particularly those from marginalized communities who often go unheard”, she said.
Hyderabad Lok Sabha Constituency
Hyderabad Parliamentary Seat is AIMIM bastion. The seat was represented by Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi from 1984 to 1999. Asaduddin Owaisi, Barrister-at-Law from Lincoln's Inn, London, contested from the Hyderabad seat taking over the rein of power from his father in 2004. Owaisi is now eyeing a 5th consecutive term from Hyderabad.
Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat comprises of 7 assembly segments of Telangana State including Malakpet, Karwan, Goshamahal, Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Yakutpura and Bahadurpura. Except Goshamahal seat, which is represented by the BJP, all the six Assembly seats in Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency have AIMIM MLAs.
Who is Nowhera Shaik?
Nowhera Shaikh, Founder and Chairperson of Heera Gold, an investment and finance firm, is accused of collecting money from thousands of Muslims from India and abroad in the name of "Halal Investment".
Nowhera Shaik describes herself as an Entrepreneur, Businesswoman, Educationist, Human Rights and Women’s Rights Activist. Few months before the 2018 Karnakata assembly elections, she had launched a political party, All India Mahila Empowerment Party (AIMEP).
Her AIMEP launch event in New Delhi in November 2017 was attended by stars like Sania Mirza, cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin and actor Sunil Shetty.
Nowhera Shaik had fielded MEP candidates on more than 100 seats in Karnataka and run a high-power and star-studded campaign. She however could not win a single seat.
Soon after the 2018 Karnataka elections, Heera Gold stopped depositing "profits" into the "investors’ accounts" citing one or the other reasons. The delay in the payment created panic among the investors, many of whom, lodged police complaints in Hyderabad and various other states of India.
Consequently, she was arrested first by the Hyderabad Police, and later by Mumbai Police, in October 2018.
After more than two years in jail, she was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India in January 2021. She however is yet to return the investor’s money while the case against her is still waiting a final judgement.
Other candidates contesting from Hyderabad
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Kompella Madhavi Latha from Hyderabad. Latha is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and runs a hospital. She describes herself as “daughter of RSS”.
Former Chief Minister CSR’s BRS had fielded Gaddam Srinivas Yadav whereas Amjed Ullah Khan of Majlis Bachav Tehreek (MBT) – one time member of AIMIM, is also challenging Owaisi in Hyderabad.
The Congress Party is yet to name its candidate for Hyderabad.
Polling for all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, including Hyderabad will be held in a single phase on May 13, 2024. The Election Commission will issue nomination today on April 18, and nomination papers will be accepted from April 18 to 25, 2024.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Post Comments