In a scathing revelation, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi has accused the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Bloc of indulging in bigotry by denying him a ticket for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Owaisi alleged that the INDIA Bloc refused to provide him with a ticket, citing concerns that they would lose Hindu votes.
Speaking at a conference in Delhi, the AIMIM chief explained his party’s decision to abstain from joining the INDIA coalition aimed at opposing the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming elections. He expressed his disinterest in the alliance, stating that it would be suffocating for him. Owaisi also questioned why the INDIA Bloc was not actively opposing the BJP based on their ideology.
#WATCH | Delhi: AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, "…We are not in the INDIA Alliance and I don't care about it… It would be suffocating there. Why are they not standing up against the BJP on their ideology… They told that if they give us a ticket, they won't get a Hindu… pic.twitter.com/UO9ZLRDb87
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2023
Asaduddin Owaisi asserted, “I am saying this openly, they say this behind closed walls.” He emphasized that his orientation advocates for Muslim participation in elections and encouraged Muslims not to refrain from contesting elections due to the fear of defeat. He stressed that standing up in elections is essential, even if one faces initial losses, as it is crucial for eventual success.
Owaisi also delved into the political landscape in India, pointing out that sectarian politics against Muslims has been ongoing since 1950, insinuating that the Congress had a role in marginalizing Muslim politicians.
Regarding Rahul Gandhi’s victory in Wayanad, Owaisi remarked, “Rahul Gandhi lost in Amethi but won in Wayanad. Asaduddin Owaisi did not contest elections there. I did not have any deal with the BJP there. He won from Wayanad because there is the Muslim League there. Muslim League saved him from drowning.”
Earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi had defended the Congress’s alliance with the Muslim League in Kerala, describing it as a secular party. This statement garnered criticism from the BJP, which accused him of calling a religious party secular. The controversy resulted in a debate over the distinction between the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Muslim League.
As Owaisi makes these allegations and the political landscape evolves, the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in 2024 are expected to be closely watched for shifts in alliances and voter dynamics.
