In an interview to The Indian Express here today, Owaisi said he would prevail upon Muslims in the state to vote against the TDP and teach Naidu ``a fitting lesson'' for ``betraying'' the principal minority community on the pretext of political compulsions.

While accepting the fact that 90 per cent of the Muslims in the state had voted in favour of TDP in the Lok Sabha elections, he said he would see to it that all Muslims voted against the party in the next elections.``All the TDP MPs, after the announcement of elections to the Lok Sabha, had come to me seeking the support of Muslims for their party and assured me that they would work forthe cause of the Muslims. They betrayed me and my community by extending support to the BJP,'' Owaisi said.

The MIM leader said that the resignation of Major Industries Minister Bashiruddin Babu Khan followed by a few leaders of the TDP Minority Cell was an indication of the TDP's fall from grace. It was because of the Muslim votes that TDP could win 12 Lok Sabha seats, Owaisi claimed.

But Babu Khan's resignation from the Cabinet alone would not help, he said, adding that the minister should quit the party and strive to mobilise Muslims against TDP. All Muslim leaders should gather on a single platform and launch a united struggle against anti-Muslim parties, he said. ``Time and again I have reiterated that the doors of the MIM are open to all,'' Owaisi added.

Besides, he said, the promises and the schemes announced by Naidu for the welfare of the Muslims in the state had remained only on paper. Of the total Rs 25 crore sanctioned in the budget for minority welfare, not more than Rs 8 crore had beenreleased so far, he said.

Asked about his pro-Congress leanings following a meeting with Rajya Sabha vice-chairperson Najma Heptullah in New Delhi, Owaisi said it had nothing to do with state politics. He however said that if a Congress-led government was installed at the Centre with the help of secular parties in the United Front, he would consider supporting the government.

Meanwhile, Owaisi has urged Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to immediately release necessary funds for the payment of salaries to the IDPL employees.

He also urged the PM to approve the IDPL revival package pending with the government.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Owaisi said that the salaries of about 8,000 employees of the Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) for the month of February and March, 1998, were not paid so far, causing hardship to their families.