'Wrote 3 Letters, Still Called BJP B-Team': A Owaisi On INDIA Bloc's Snub In Bihar
The AIMIM was ready to join the INDIA bloc if it was given six seats to contest in the upcoming Bihar election, party chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi told NDTV
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AIMIM's 2020 Assembly success in Bihar included winning five seats
In an interview with NDTV, AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi revealed that his party was willing to join the INDIA alliance if granted six seats in the upcoming Bihar elections. According to Mr. Owaisi, AIMIM has made multiple attempts to establish an alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), but received no affirmative response.
When questioned about electoral strategies, Mr. Owaisi stated, "We're committed to contesting the election. Akhtarul Iman, our Bihar chief and MLA, sent two letters to Lalu Prasad Yadav and a final one to Tejashwi Yadav. We indicated our willingness to accept just six seats and stipulated that ministerial positions weren't necessary if they formed the government. We simply requested the establishment of a Seemanchal development board. What more could we have done?"
The AIMIM had achieved a remarkable breakthrough in Bihar's 2020 election, securing five seats in the strategically important Seemanchal region. Subsequently, four of these MLAs defected to the RJD.
Criticizing Tejashwi Yadav's party, Mr. Owaisi remarked, "They label us as the BJP's B-team. When they poached our four MLAs, it was considered acceptable. Yet when BJP took Shiv Sena's MLAs, it created massive outrage."
AIMIM's Bihar unit made a bold public attempt for an RJD alliance last week, with members gathering outside Lalu Yadav's residence, drumming and distributing posters.
Akhtarul Iman emphasized that AIMIM has consistently reached out to INDIA bloc members. "We even conveyed messages through RJD MLAs, but were advised that AIMIM shouldn't contest this election. Despite this, we remain open to an alliance, even with the party that appropriated four of our elected representatives," he explained. Mr. Owaisi emphasized AIMIM's commitment to Seemanchal, stating, "There's considerable anger and frustration. Bihar's citizens recognize that accusations of us being a B-Team are unfounded. Four days ago, we demonstrated with drums and delivered our proposal letter. Are they still unable to hear our message?"
Owaisi Questions India-Pakistan Cricket Match
Addressing the decision to proceed with the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match, Mr. Owaisi argued that nationalism shouldn't be merely an election slogan and highlighted the suffering of families who lost loved ones in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
"The Prime Minister previously declared, 'Blood and water cannot flow together.' Yet cricket matches are acceptable? What signal does this send to Pakistan? Anyone believing Pakistan will change its stance is mistaken," Mr. Owaisi asserted.
The AIMIM leader clarified he holds no grievances against the cricket players. "We'll always honor them. However, questions are being raised about the Indian government's position. While we invariably support India's victory, India should triumph not just in cricket but also in combating terrorism."