Esa Misri is a professional wrestler and a silver medalist in the Mr Universe challenge, but this decorated sportsman is hanging up his boots to enter politics ahead of the Telangana Assembly Elections.
Misri is the Congress candidate from Chandrayangutta in Hyderabad and he will be taking on AIMIM stalwart Akbaruddin Owaisi.
While his sports career was going well, Misri says he was affected by the polarisation and communal politics in Hyderabad. “Communities were pitted against each other for political gain and my attempts to raise a voice against it, went unheard. I realised that the words of a common man, a bodybuilder or a businessman won’t get any attention. So, I decided to enter politics.”
Tough Task Ahead
Misri’s electoral debut will not be an easy one, as he is taking on four-time MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, the younger brother of AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi.
But Misri says he isn’t afraid of the political might of the Owaisi brothers.
“I’m not afraid of anyone. There is no need to be afraid either. My opponents are not boxers, bodybuilders or wrestlers, who can knock me out. Instead we are going to the people to ask for votes.”Esa Misri
He believes the people of his constituency want a break from VVIP politicians and this would make him an appealing candidate. “People have to decide if they want an MLA who comes to power by pitting them against other parties and religions, or someone who would work with them,” he added.
Arab Lineage
Misri, who has an Arabic lineage, hopes to get the support of the Arab descendants in his constituency. “My ancestors came from Yemen 100 years ago. They worked with the Nizam government of Hyderabad. Some were with the Nizam army and some in the police department. There are many others like me and I hope my community will stand by me,” he said.
Finally, he says people have asked for change and option of good candidates in the constituency and he is the alternative the people of Chandrayangutta were hoping for.
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