Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), criticized the BJP for not including the term “minorities” in its manifesto, instead using it for “marginalized.” He accused the saffron party of promoting animosity towards minorities.
In an interview with PTI, Owaisi expressed his disappointment after seeing the BJP’s advertisement in various newspapers on April 17. He said, “Please see, when they talk about giving loans or help to start a business from the government, it says ST and OBC. The BJP is even refusing to mention that minorities forget about Muslims. The word minorities is mentioned in the Constitution of India, and the BJP has a great hatred for the word M.”
“They have not mentioned the word minorities. They say scholarships will be given to marginalized communities,” he said.
He claimed that there is the highest number of school dropouts among Dalits and Muslims and that the BJP has deliberately ensured that the dropout rate is increased in the Muslim community.
Owaisi said the BJP might talk about making the country the third-largest economy in the world, but one has to consider the per capita income when it comes to growth.
Furthermore, Owaisi questioned the number of school dropouts among Dalits and Muslims and accused the BJP government of exacerbating the dropout rates among Dalits and Muslims deliberately.
He also mentioned that there is a threat to the constitution while unemployment is growing and communal hatred and mob lynching have escalated. He urged the people to vote for the party that fulfills their duties for the nation; however, he showed his call for support for the people of Hyderabad, Allahabad, and KishanGanj Parliamentary constituencies.
Owaisi also scrutinized the BJP’s economic agenda, where the focus is solely on becoming the world’s third-largest economy without any attention to per capita income growth.
Additionally, Owaisi announced AIMIM’s support for Prakash Ambedkar, leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), who is contesting from the Akola Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra. He stressed the importance of Dalit leadership and urged AIMIM members in Akola to vote for Ambedkar.
Owaisis also said that AIMIM’s alliance in Uttar Pradesh with Anupriya Patel’s Apna Dal (K) will continue even in the Assembly polls.
Moreover, Owaisi, seeking re-election from Hyderabad, faces competition from BJP candidate K. Madhavi Latha in the party’s stronghold.
