B'day Special: Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief

New Delhi: Asaduddin Owaisi is a veteran Indian politicians and the Chief of the All India Majlis – e – Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). Asaduddin Owaisi was elected as MP for Hyderabad constituency for two years (2004 and 2009) consecutively. He is once again contesting to retain his seat. Let us know more about Asaduddin Owaisi on his 45th birthday:Asaduddin Owaisi was born on 13th May 1969 in the ‘city of Pearls', Hyderabad to Sultan Asaduddin Salahuddin Owaisi, another renowned politician of India.Asaduddin was married to Farheen Owaisi on 11th December, 1996. They have been blessed with four daughters.Asaduddin did his schooling from Hyderabad Public School and St Mary's Junior College in Hyderabad. He was a very bright student and a fast learner. Asaduddin Owaisi graduated from Nizam College, Osmania University.After his graduation he went on to pursue LLB and Barrister – at – Laws from the prestigious Lincolns Inn in England. He has two siblings, Akbaruddin and Burhanuddin. Akbaruddin in MLA in Andhra Legislative Assembly from Chandrayangutta constituency. Burhanuddin on the other hand is the editor of “Etemad”, a local Urdu daily. His party has achieved a commendable record by holding on to Hyderabad seat for the last three decades. Apparently nobody likes to nudge this constituency. Despite fierce competition among ticket aspirants in other parts of Telangana and Seemandhra, Asaduddin Owasisi's path seems clear as he drives forth to contest from Hyderabad constituency for the 3rd tenure. Asaduddin Owaisi was awarded Sansad Ratna Award for best overall performance in 15th Lok Sabha at the Chennai Press club. Asaduddin Owaisi stepped into politics to carry forward a family legacy initiated by his grand father, Abdul Wahid Owaisi who had revived MIM with a new constitution in 1958. His father, Sultan, took over the mantle in 1976 and made it a powerful political force. Asaduddin instantly reaped success and was elected as a MLA in 1994 and 1999. After the LS Elections in 2004 he was elected as MP for Hyderabad constituency and has kept a firm hold over his position since then. In 2009, he was made the leader of AIMIM. Asaduddin Owaisi has often caught himself in controversy. He is said to be an extremist in his political outlook.From the very beginning, Asaduddin has been against BJP's choice of projecting Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate. In a scathing attack on him, he said that Narendra Modi is the most divisive person in Indian politics. He attacked him by saying, “Don't use the word fair for Modi. The Gujarat state has not had a clean history since 2002. Muslims in Gujarat are suffering from Stockholm syndrome”.His distaste for Modi does not end here. Asaduddin Owaisi had once lamblasted Salman Khan for paying a courtesy visit to him and praising him. In the cacophony of political sound bites, there are some voices that are clearly audible. Asaduddin's words create ripples. One may hate him or adore him, but no one can throw cold shoulders to his words. His rebels call him a divisive politician but on quite the contrary note, his admirers call him “naqeeb – e - millat” (leader of the community.) He believes that Muslims in India need a different political identity that they have been carrying so far. In order to prevent Muslim persecution, one could not expect ‘secular' parties to handle affairs that affect the lives of Muslims in India as they have dismally failed. For this he feels that they needed to take the bull by its horn and create their own leaders. Asaduddin Owaisi is vocal against persecution of Muslims in the name of terrorism and at the same time welcomes Supreme Court's judgment that strikes down a section of Representation of the People Act which allowed a convicted lawmaker to continue in office with cases still pending against him.Asaduddin's favourite pastime is playing cricket and spending quality time with his daughters. He has special interest in reading books on history and religion