Belagavi: President of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi, on May 8, mounted a scathing attack on the national political parties in Belagavi. Batting for the regional parties in the state, he said that it was high time the people of Karnataka supported regional parties such as Janata Dal (Secular) instead of the national parties.
Giving reasons Owaisi said, “Congress, BJP and other national parties cannot deliver social justice to the public.”
He also proclaimed that the Congress was not strong enough to defeat the Narendra Modi-led BJP. So he urged the minorities to vote for JDS so that the prime minister could be sent back to Gujarat.
It may be recalled that the JDS is fighting the elections in alliance with the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) and AIMIM. Owaisi was addressing the public rally for Belagavi North JDS candidate Ashfaq Ahmad Madaki at the CPED ground in the city on May 8. He was invited as the star campaigner in the constituency where the Muslims are a majority.
Owaisi, who hogged the limelight for his controversial remarks, alleged that Congress government led by Siddharamiah had prevented him from entering Karnataka for two years. He said, “I was prevented from speaking to the Muslim community in Karnataka. He (Siddaramaiah) had pressured authorities not to permit my public meets, but JDS has now provided a platform for me. I promise to visit Belgaum frequently to interact with my Muslim brethren.”
Turning his attention towards the AICC President Rahul Gandhi, Owaisi criticised saying, “Rahul Gandhi keeps saying that he was not permitted to speak for 15 minutes in the Parliament. He must answer why the Congress government in Karnataka denied me permission to speak with my supporters here.” Challenging Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a debate he said that he would make them realise “who I am.”
Accusing the national parties of appeasing the minorities for political gain, he said, “National parties are against freedom of expression. Congress just wants the votes of minorities but it never intends to empower them.”
Comparing the crime rates against minorities, Owaisi claimed that Karnataka had the highest crime rate after Uttar Pradesh. Innocent youth of the minority community were imprisoned due to the communal riots in the state, he alleged.
Raking up the controversy of Tippu Jayanti celebrations, Owaisi claimed that JDS President H D Kumaraswamy had announced to open a Tippu Sultan University for the minorities in Karnataka when Congress found it difficult to celebrate Tippu Jayanti.
Claiming that both BJP and the Congress had neglected minorities, he urged the minority electorate to elect JDS leaders as the party had good promises for the minorities in its manifesto.
JDS rural candidate Shivangouda Patil, Latif Khan Pathan, C K S Nazeer and other leaders were present.
