Owaisi Urges Congress to Unite Against BJP in Maharashtra Elections
Hyderabad: On October 11, All India Ittehad ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi called on the Congress party in Maharashtra to collaborate with AIMIM to unify the opposition against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Following Congress’s defeat in the Haryana polls, Owaisi criticized the party for attributing its losses to AIMIM’s presence, suggesting that such claims were unfounded. “I wasn’t there, or else they would blame it on ‘the B-team.’ I chose to sit back and observe the drama,” Owaisi remarked, questioning Congress’s understanding of its electoral failures.
He further pointed out that Congress leaders seem baffled by their losses, despite his absence from Haryana. “They are unable to comprehend their loss. That man in Sherwani did not come here… How did we lose here?” Owaisi quipped, emphasizing the absurdity of blaming AIMIM for their shortcomings.
Owaisi stressed the need for Congress to unite the opposition if they wish to challenge Modi effectively. “Try and understand what I am trying to say. If you want to defeat Modi, you will have to unite the Opposition. You will not be able to do anything alone,” he urged.
The AIMIM has formally reached out to Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to consider forming an alliance under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) banner for the forthcoming elections. The party aims to contest in 28 Muslim-majority constituencies, asserting its influence in these areas.
Imtiaz Jaleel, a former MP and AIMIM leader, confirmed that a proposal has been sent to both Congress and NCP. He questioned the rationale behind their alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT), which has recently shifted its stance on secularism. Jaleel proposed that AIMIM could also play a significant role within the MVA.
He cautioned Congress and NCP against fielding too many candidates, suggesting that a divided opposition could inadvertently benefit the BJP. Jaleel indicated that AIMIM is open to contesting fewer seats if that would strengthen their collective opposition.
With the Maharashtra Assembly elections approaching in November, the stakes are high. The BJP currently holds 103 seats, followed by the NCP with 41, Congress with 40, Shiv Sena (UBT) with 15, and NCP (SP) with 13, along with 29 seats held by other parties.
AIMIM, led by Owaisi, currently has two MLAs in Maharashtra, representing Malegaon Central and Dhule City. Additionally, the party boasts 25 out of 113 Corporators in the state, positioning itself as a key player in the upcoming electoral landscape.
