This is my last election, Owaisi says

Akbaruddin Owaisi, who occupies the second highest office in the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), has caused a stir by declaring that he is contesting possibly his last election and may not enter the fray again due to his deteriorating health.

Owaisi, who is seeking election from Chandragyangutta assembly constituency in Hyderabad for a fifth consecutive term, told an election meeting in Hyderabad that his kidneys were not functioning normally and doctors had advised him to undergo dialysis.

The 44-year-old narrowly survived an attempt on his life in 2011 and a bullet is still stuck in his body. “Remnants of a bullet are stuck close to my kidney and the situation had gone out of hands a few days ago. Doctors have asked me to undergo dialysis,” he said.

Owaisi said he would vacate his assembly seat for a person who is sincerely serving the community. He said he was carrying many responsibilities on his shoulders — including running two hospitals, a medical college and several educational institutions and banks and was unable to pay adequate attention to his health needs.

His statement came against the backdrop of reports that Owaisi had cut down most of his engagements and did not participate in many election meetings this time in view of his health.