All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized the BJP for omitting the term 'minorities' from its manifesto and instead opting for the term 'marginalised', citing the saffron party is accused of harboring hatred towards minorities.
Owaisi told PTI Videos that he had seen the BJP's advertisement in several newspapers on April 17. “When they talk about giving loans or helping to start a business from the government, it says ST and OBC. The BJP refuses to even mention the word minorities, forget Muslims.”
Owaisi said the word minorities appears in the Constitution of India, “but the BJP has great hatred for the word M.”
“They didn't mention the word minorities. They say scholarships will be given to marginalized communities,” he said.
.over, he claimed that Dalits and Muslims have the highest dropout rate, alleging that the BJP has deliberately contributed to the increase in dropout rates within the Muslim community.
The Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad urged people to consider these concerns before voting for any party. He alleged that there is a threat to the constitution, growing intolerance against minorities and a high unemployment rate in the country.
Owaisi said the BJP may talk about making the country the third largest economy in the world, but you also have to consider per capita income when it comes to growth.
The AIMIM had on Tuesday announced its support for Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar, who is contesting from the Akola Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra. The AIMIM and VBA had forged an alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but it fell apart during the Maharashtra assembly elections later that year. “We believe that Dalit leadership should come to the fore. I appeal to Akola AIMIM team to vote for Prakash Ambedkar,” Owaisi said on Tuesday, as quoted by PTI.
The AIMIM president is also seeking re-election from the party's bastion in Hyderabad, where the BJP has fielded K Madhavi Latha against him.
(With input from agencies)
Unlock a world of benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time inventory management, breaking news and a personalized news feed – it's all there, just one click away! Log in now!
View all political news and updates on DailyExertNews. Download the Mint News app for daily market updates and live business news.
. or less
Published: Apr 18, 2024 11:00 AM IST