Votebank myth dead, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said the 2014 elections has broken the myth of the so-called Muslim votebank. He said that it was the figment of imagination. There was never a Muslim votebank; it was always a majority vote. Political parties exploited the voters in the name of it.

He was participating in a meet the press programme organised by the Telangana Working Journalists Union here on the topic “Political development after general election: AIMIM view”.

He said that Muslims in India never called prominent Muslim personalities either in the past or in the present. They always looked towards Pandit Nehru’s family, Vallabhbhai Patel, Lalu, Mulyam, NTR and Chandrababu Naidu.

Claiming that he was not responsible for the mandate for the NDA at the Centre and decrease of Muslim representation in politics, the MP said “despite massive mandate there is no single Muslim MP from BJP in present Parliament.”

We can see a ray of hope for development of the country only when political representation of Muslims increases in all levels.”

Reacting to the certain articles by prominent journalists after Maharashtra polls and Shiva Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray’s comments, Owaisi said “no one has right to call me as anti national , I am proud to be an Indian and there is no need for me to prove my patriotism whenever they question.

We always have faith in our Constitution and our party carrying the political fight within its parameters.”

Suggesting to Uddhav to settle scores with BJP first, the Hyderabad MP said that MI M will play a constructive in Maharashtra Assembly and it is the responsibility of the Chief Minister Fadnavis to ensure that there will not be any communal riots in the state.

The MIM chief said that their party will contest in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal Assembly elections and it is yet to decide with regard Jharkhand elections.

Criticizing a news article of Prasar Bharati CEO Surya Prakash, on Sachar Committee report, Owaisi termed that his appointment was against to the terms of Prasar Bharati.

He sad as per terms of the Prasar Bharati the CEO has to protect the rights of Minorities and Tribal communities and promote national integration.

Imam Bukhari is not Imam for all Muslims Controversy regarding not inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari for his son's anointment as the next chief cleric. Asaduddin said “we are not considering him as Imam for all Muslims of this country.

He is a just an employee of Delhi Wakf Board and the government has right to take action against him. It is BJP and Congress considers him as Imam of all Muslims of the country and used him during elections.”

MIM not opposing Metro Replying to a query , Owaisi said that he party in not opposing the Metrorail project , they are opposing only the route which is identified via Darulshifa as there are several religious structures are located on the route.

“We represented several times to the government and authorities to alternate route be worked out and also suggested to take up the project in Bahdurpura Aramghar route, ” he added.

He said it is too early to comment on tie up with political parties in GHMC polls as the delimitation of wards yet to be finished.

He said his party is welcoming the budget allocations to the minorities in Telangana state budget and also the announcement of the CM KCR that Old City to be developed in the lines of Istanbul.

Owaisi demands police The Hyderabad MP demanded the Ananthpur district police to take stringent action against his party worker alleged to be involved in the rape of a minor girl. Condemning the incident, he said his party never tolerates such kind of inhuman acts and the party will initiate action against him.