<span style="color: #222222;">In Telangana, AIMIM President and MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, he would request Speaker of state Legislative Assembly , to give the post of Leader of Opposition to his party as it is the second largest party in the state now. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad today, Owaisi said, AIMIM has more numbers than the Congress party in the aftermath of Speaker notifying the merger of 12 MLAs of Congress Party into the ruling TRS.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Congress party's strength came down to 6 from 18 after the merger. AIAMIM has 7 MLAs in the Assembly at present.  </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, Congress Legislative Party Leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka began 36-hour hunger strike in Hyderabad today in protest against Speaker's merger decision.</span>