AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said that his party is not the B or C team of the BJP or the Congress, as contended by opponents, but an A team of Hyderabad which will be successful.

Owaisi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief, said, “I am supporting Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) as I believe regional parties can better fulfil people’s aspirations.”

Speaking on various political issues in the elections to the Telangana Assembly on December 7, Owaisi saidhe was confident of the TRS’ return to power as it is better placed to address issues of people in the State. However, he said AIMIM will not join the government.

Taking on both the Congress and the BJP, Owaisi said in a diverse country like India, bi-polar political contests will not help people’s cause. What is needed is proper people’s representation through parties that can address concerns better.

“AIMIM had opposed the formation of Telangana during the agitation phase. Now, that a separate State has been carved out, it will be best represented by a regional party which can address various issues,” he said.

Exuding confidence that AIMIM will win eight seats in Hyderabad, he said “The A team in Hyderabad will be successful.” Questioning both the Congress and BJP for attacking him on issues he represented, including Triple Talaq, Owaisi said, “Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi lacks consistency in what he states and his mindset is feudal. He should learn from his mother.”

On Yogi Adityanath

Referring to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s campaigning in Telangana during the past few days, Owaisi said, “While in a democratic country, anyone is free to contest elections and campaign, I leave it to his conscience for campaigning in the State. However, there have been serious law and order issues which need his attention.”

Questioning Yogi’s statement that if the BJP is voted to power, Owaisi would have to flee Hyderabad like Nizam, he said, “I am number 1 Indian citizen bybirth and choice. And Yogi does not have that distinction and he does not know history.”

He denied the allegation of some political parties that AIMIM was working for BJP and fielding candidates in some States and splitting the votes so that BJP could win.

Published on December 5, 2018