AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (File).
New Delhi:
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday jumped into the bitter struggle between the BJP and the Congress that was triggered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s remarks about Muslims, and claims of “wealth redistribution… to those who have the most children… to infiltrators”.
At a rally in Hyderabad on Sunday, Mr Owaisi hit again on the Prime Minister’s “those who have the most children” comment by declaring “Muslims use condoms most” and took a jibe on the ruling social gathering’s ‘Modi ki assure’ tagline, saying, “(the PM) has only one guarantee… hate Dalits and Muslims.”
“Why are you creating fear that Muslims produce more children? According to data from the Modi government, the population growth and fertility among Muslims has decreased. Muslims use condoms most, and I have no shame in saying this…” Mr Owaisi thundered.
‣ @narendramodi की एक ही गारंटी है, दलितों और मुसलमानों से नफ़रत करो।
‣ एक मुल्क का वज़ीर-ए-आज़म इस मुल्क की 15 फ़ीसद अवाम को घुसपैठिया कहता है, इससे शर्मनाक बात कुछ और नहीं हो सकती। pic.twitter.com/87mIdAfiAi
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 27, 2024
“Narendra Modi is instilling fear among Hindus that Muslims will become majority community. How long will you create fear about the Muslims? Our religion is different but we belong to this country.”
Neither the BJP nor the Prime Minister have, up to now, responded.
The fierce struggle between the BJP and the Congress, in addition to opposition events allied to the INDIA bloc, erupted after Mr Modi’s comment this month at an election rally in Rajasthan’s Banswara.
Referring to plans within the Congress’ manifesto for an “economic and institutional report” as a part of the nationwide caste survey, and mixing that with a comment by his predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh, the PM mentioned, “Congress says they will calculate gold with mothers and sisters… and distribute that property…. Manmohan Singh’s government said Muslims have first right on all resources…”
READ | Row After PM Says “Congress To Distribute Assets Among Infiltrators”
“… to whom will this be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children. It will be distributed to infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators?” he mentioned.
NDTV FACT CHECK | Has Congress Really Promised ‘Wealth Redistribution’?
Mr Modi’s remarks provoked an offended response from the Congress, which accused Mr Modi of mendacity to divert voters’ consideration from real points. The social gathering identified its manifesto made no such declare, and Rahul Gandhi later defined that the survey and its elements have been an “important step” in understanding how sections of the society had developed and what’s wanted to make sure equality.
READ | “Have Not Said…”: Rahul On “Wealth Redistribution” Row, PM’s Jabs
The social gathering additionally complained to the Election Commission. A discover was despatched to BJP chief JP Nadda – and his Congress counterpart Mallikarjun Kharge, after a criticism was filed towards Mr Gandhi.
In a major transfer, each social gathering chiefs have been advised to make sure their campaigners adopted tips for a “higher quality of political discourse”. They have been advised to file responses by 11 am this morning.
READ | BJP Gets Notice In Delhi, PM’s Inheritance Tax Jibe In Madhya Pradesh
The AIMIM boss is contesting the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat on this election, which has been a stronghold of his household since 1984, when his father, Salahuddin Owaisi gained it off the Congress.
In 2019 he secured over 60 per cent of the votes however might face a stronger check this time, notably from the BJP’s Madhavi Latha. The two went head-to-head earlier this month after a video appeared to indicate the BJP chief – decked in saffron and garlanded with yellow flowers – pretending to attract and hearth an arrow throughout a Ram Navami procession/marketing campaign rally close to a mosque.
READ | “Where Did Mosque Come From?”: BJP Candidate On “Imaginary Arrow”
Mr Owaisi slammed the “vulgar, obscene, and provocative” motion, whereas Ms Latha claimed the video was “incomplete” and being circulated on-line “to create negativity”. “… if anyone’s feelings are hurt due to such a video, I would like to apologise…” she mentioned on X (previously Twitter). A police case was file. She hit again final week, accusing her rival of inciting people by discussing “religion and beef”.
Hyderabad will vote with the remainder of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on May 13. Results are on June 4.
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