In an interview to The Quint on the campaign trail in Hyderabad where he is seeking election for a fourth consecutive time, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi mocked Prime Minister Modi’s recent anti-satellite weapon announcement.
“Mr Modi’s government is only in space, not on ground. He has done nothing on the ground, he has deceived the people of India. That day is not very far when we will see our favourite Narendra Modi channel showing us exclusive news breaking – the anchor will say, ‘The nation will be happy to know that we have the exclusive news of Modi speaking to aliens!’ The opening sentence will be, ‘Alien mitron, I’m here’.”Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM MP
‘PM Modi Created Structure of Hate Against Minorities and Dalits’
The Quint: How would you rate the five years of the Modi government?
Asaduddin Owaisi: As a prime minister, he has ensured that a fear climate is created. In fact, he has been instrumental in increasing hatred for the minorities and Dalits. My biggest concern is that tomorrow the government will change definitely inshallah (God-willing), but will the hatred for minorities come down? I doubt. Because he has created a structure and emboldened all the forces who hate the idea of pluralism in India. That is the most important challenge for us as a country – to bring down that hate structure.
AIMIM’s 2019 Plans in Telangana, Maharashtra and Bihar
The Quint: Beyond Hyderabad, what are the AIMIM’s plans for this election? Which are the regions that the party is looking to contest and campaign in?
Asaduddin Owaisi: We are contesting from Hyderabad, and Kishanganj in Bihar which is in the Seemanchal area. Another seat is Aurangabad (in Maharashtra). In Telangana, apart from Hyderabad, we will be supporting the TRS in the 16 other seats. In Andhra, I have requested the people to vote for Jagan Mohan Reddy. In Maharashtra, we have an alliance with Prakash Ambedkar, I will be campaigning for him.
The Quint: No more seats in UP to be contested by the AIMIM?
Asaduddin Owaisi: Because it (the region where we are interested) is in the last phase, we will have to take a decision on it – we'll take a decision very soon.
On Allegations That Owaisi Acts as BJP’s B-Team by Cutting Muslim Votes
Owaisi mocked the Opposition’s frequent allegation that he improves the BJP’s chances of winning in certain seats by fielding MIM candidates and dividing the Muslim vote.
The Quint: How do you respond to allegations by Opposition parties that you act as the BJP’s B-team by deliberately splitting Muslim votes in certain areas where you do not have enough presence to win?
Asaduddin Owaisi: Why B-Team? We are A-Team. Why do you want to demean us? See, Rahul Gandhi definitely has to oppose me, because I do not belong to the janeu-dharu varna system. I am outside the varna system, Rahul Gandhi gets uncomfortable. So, I will make him more uncomfortable.
'India Needs a Non-Congress, Non-BJP Govt’
The Quint: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) headed by KCR is accused of being soft on the BJP, and commonly perceived as being potential post-poll allies. Is this not an ideological conflict for Asaduddin Owaisi?
Asaduddin Owaisi: How did BJP get 280+ seats in 2014? Is KCR responsible, is Owaisi responsible? It is the Congress party which is responsible for BJP getting 280+ seats. This question is posed to me all the time.
This is a question which is always asked by people who have this in-born likeness for the Congress party but who do not want to accept the weakness of the Congress, that they are losing elections. So, they allege that anyone who opposes Congress is with BJP. Now, I do not believe in this politics of BJP and Congress, that is why we are offering an alternative. And we hope and expect, our utmost desire and request to people of India is that you have given Congress an opportunity in 2009, they failed completely. In 2014, you gave BJP, they deceived you.
Now, this country needs a non-Congress, non-BJP government. This whole binary, that only Rahul or Modi are good for this country, is completely wrong. There are enough qualified leaders like KCR, and regional leaders, who can lead this nation.
In the last Assembly election in Telangana (2018), BJP lost their deposits in 100+ seats. They had 5 MLAs before, it was reduced to 1. Now, who is responsible for that? Rahul Gandhi? No, it is the TRS and MIM.
The Quint: Should you not then also be campaigning for the SP and the BSP in UP? They are regional parties who have not tied up with the Congress. Why are you not campaigning for them then?
Asaduddin Owaisi: There is definitely a meeting point, we will take a decision very soon. But why is this question not being asked to the Congress – why is the Congress contesting against them (SP and BSP)? Why is the Congress contesting against Mamata Banerjee? Why are they contesting against Mr Patnaik in Odisha? See, that is the problem. The Delhi media is either into BJP or Congress.
From Father to Son, Owaisis Undefeated for 35 Years
The Quint: Beginning in 1984, your father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi won the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat six consecutive times. Since then, you have won the seat in 2004, 2009 and 2014. Combined, the Owaisis have remained undefeated in Hyderabad for the last 35 years and 9 Lok Sabha elections. Will it be number 10 in 2019?
Asaduddin Owaisi: I continue to be accessible, try to represent the people's real issues in the Parliament and outside it, develop my constituency. The people of Hyderabad love us and have great confidence in us, we are working and we will be judged on the basis of our performance for five years.
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