Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), stated on Tuesday that the so-called secular political parties will be unable to halt the growth of the BJP, urging Muslims to establish their own political representation. His remarks were made during a press conference in Hyderabad, following the announcement of the West Bengal Assembly election results.
In the recent elections, AIMIM put forth 11 candidates, all of whom were unsuccessful, resulting in a mere 0.09% vote share for the party in West Bengal.
Owaisi criticized the secular parties, claiming that in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) engaged in “soft-Hindutva.” He pointed out similar trends in Maharashtra, where Uddhav Thackeray’s party and the Nationalist Congress Party have also attempted to appeal to Hindu sentiments. He noted that Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal had employed comparable strategies.
Despite these efforts, both Kejriwal and Banerjee experienced electoral losses, with Owaisi emphasizing Banerjee’s long tenure of 15 years in power. He highlighted the plight of Muslims in regions like Malda and Musheerabad, where they face significant socio-economic challenges. “The marginalization of Muslims is evident in their living conditions and economic indicators,” he asserted, stressing the disparity between Banerjee’s public image and the realities on the ground.
Owaisi contended that Muslims must forge their own independent political leadership to ensure their voices are heard regarding issues of marginalization and injustice. He criticized the voting patterns that favor secular parties, suggesting they have failed to effectively counter the BJP’s influence. He also recalled historical instances where Banerjee had assisted the BJP, including her support in the election of the first BJP MP from West Bengal in 1998.
“It is crucial for Muslims to unite and form their own political entities to address their concerns,” Owaisi concluded, arguing that reliance on these secular parties has not yielded progress or justice for the community.
He extended congratulations to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) for their victory over the Left Democratic Alliance (LDF) in Kerala, expressing confidence that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally of Congress, would advocate for Muslim interests in the state.
Owaisi acknowledged the electoral choice made by the people of West Bengal in favor of the BJP, stating that it is essential to respect their decision.
Nikhila Henry, an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express based in Hyderabad, has a 17-year career in journalism, focusing on South Indian political affairs, education, and social justice. She began her career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India and has worked with notable organizations, including The Hindu and the BBC. Nikhila has authored and edited significant works, providing insights into grassroots movements and minority issues, and is recognized as a prominent voice in Indian media.
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