Owaisi Criticises Cong for Siding with BJP-Sena to Suspend His MLA

Owaisi questioned Congress’ professed stand against intolerance and communalism.

MIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi outside Parliament house. (Photo: PTI)

The chief of Majlis-e-Muslimeen, Asaduddin Owaisi has slammed Congress for partnering with BJP and the Shiv Sena to suspend his MLA for refusing to chant ‘Bharat Mara ki Jai’ in the Maharashtra Assembly. Owaisi questioned the party’s professed stand against intolerance and communalism, according to The Times of India report.

Congress was talking about tolerance, plurality of voices, was complaining that voices of dissent were being suppressed only days ago. How these words were ignored conveniently in Maharashtra. It has exposed Congress very badly. My statement was about the RSS chief, why is he forcing everyone to say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. I am talking within the Constitution. Ours is a republic, the Constitution says ‘we the people...’, there is no talk of any gender or ‘mata’ there.

<b>Asaduddin Owaisi, MIM chief</b>

Owaisi has been under attack from Shiv Sena and Congress ever since the controversy erupted. Congress accused Owaisi of raising polarising issues that could benefit BJP in the upcoming elections. Javed Akhtar as well, lashed out at the MIM chief during his finale speech in the Rajya Sabha.

They stand for freedom of expression but the moment that freedom hurts them, they junk all their liberal values and principles and attack you. Why did Congress support BJP-Sena in the resolution in Maharashtra assembly?

<b>Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM Chief</b>

On Congress’ charge of Owaisi bidding for BJP, he said:

Even 22 months after losing power, you fail to find reasons for your rout and blame others. This shows your arrogance. Modi won 282 seats because of your incompetence. You are losing because of your weakness, your dual standards on secularism.

Owaisi urged Congress to introspect instead of pointing fingers at his party.

They say they will not allow imposition of one culture and then do something else in Maharashtra.&nbsp;

<b>Asaduddin Owaisi</b>

Owaisi questioned the Congress and their right on secularism based on when Manmohan Singh had complimented Owaisi for his ‘fantastic speech’ in favour of the nuclear deal. Owaisi also met Jaganmohan Reddy in jail to ensure support for Pranab Mukherjee when the latter was running for president.

Was I a holy man then? The problem with Congress is, if someone opposes them, he is not secular. Why? Do they have intellectual property right on secularism?

<b>Asaduddin Owaisi</b>