The ‘Salar’ I knew was a man of few words.

 The ‘Salar’ I knew was a man of few words.

The ‘Salar’ I knew was a man of few words.

He was the father of Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owasi and Chandrayangutta MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi. Before the Owaisi brothers grew in stature as politicians, their father Sultan Salauddin Owaisi was the man who held fort in Hyderabad.

Meeting ‘Salar’ would always be a pleasure. He would make one comfortable to have an easy conversation with him.

However, what would be difficult was in doing an interview with him for the newspaper. ‘Salaar’ would give one word or two word replies. The more long-winded the question in a bid to get him to say more, the fewer the words he would speak. That was his nature. That was him. It was not like he attempted to refrain from giving a reply. In those few words, he would say all he wanted to say. He would not  leave anything for guesswork or interpretation. Any more questions on the same subject would elicit the same one word or two word responses. 

Even if the repeated questions could be irritating, ‘Salar’ would retain his compose, not get impatient or angry.

I remember the many times I met him at the AIMIM headquarters at Dar-us-salam. He was one who accessible to everyone, much like both his political heirs Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi.

‘Salaar’ chose to bid adiu to politics after having got elected as MP for six times from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat and served till 2004. A look at his political history on Wikipedia shows that in 1960 he was elected as corporator from Mallepally division in the then Municipal Corporatinon of Hyderabad elections. ‘Salar’ passed away in 2008.

Why did we call him ‘Salar’? Sultan Salauddin Owaisi was given the title ‘Salar-e-Millat’ - meaning chief commander by his supporters. So, he was hardly referred to by his name. He was simply referred to as Salar. 

What is the context for me recollect  this? Just that ‘Salaar’ is the buzzword now with the Prabhas-starrer just released. 

Here’s what I found on Wikipedia about 'Salar' Sultan Salauddin Owaisi's political career.

 Won in 1960 Hyderabad Corporation Election from Mallepally

• Won in 1962 Assembly Election for first time from Patthergati constituency

• Won in 1967 Assembly Election from Yakutpura constituency

• Won in 1972 Assembly Election from Pathergatti constituency

• Won in 1978 Assembly Election with 51.98% of votes as an independent in Charminar constituency

• Won in 1983 Assembly Election with 64.05% of votes as an independent in Charminar constituency

• Won in 1984 Parliament Election with 38.13% of votes as an independent Hyderabad constituency

• Won in 1989 Parliament Election with 45.91% of votes for MIM party in Hyderabad constituency

• Won in 1991 Parliament Election with 46.18% of votes for AIMIM party in Hyderabad constituency

• Won in 1996 Parliament Election with 34.57% of votes for AIMIM party in Hyderabad constituency

• Won in 1998 Parliament Election with 44.65% of votes for AIMIM party in Hyderabad constituency

• Won in 1999 Parliament Election with 41.36% of votes for AIMIM party in Hyderabad