AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized BJP and Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis for his recent remarks on “vote jihad” and “Dharmayuddha,” alleging that such statements go against democratic principles and India’s diversity. Speaking in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Owaisi accused Fadnavis and the BJP of trying to diminish the country’s pluralistic fabric, referring to PM Modi’s slogan “Ek Hai to Safe Hai” as undermining India’s ethos of diversity.
“From where did ‘vote jihad and dharmayuddha’ come in democracy? You purchased MLAs; should we call you a thief?” the Hyderabad MP questioned.
In his remarks, Owaisi argued that BJP leaders like Fadnavis invoke terms like “jihad” only when they lose support in certain constituencies.
“We gave the method of fighting against the British. He (Fadnavis) said ‘vote jihad’ after they (BJP) didn’t get votes in Malegaon (during Lok Sabha election). When they fail to get votes, they call it jihad. They lost in Ayodhya. How did that happen”? Owaisi questioned, adding that Fadnavis’s ideological forebears allegedly cooperated with British colonial rulers rather than opposing them.
“Our ancestors did jihad against Britishers, not yours. Fadnavis, whose ancestors were writing love letters to the British, will teach us jihad?” Owaisi stated.
“Our ancestors did jihad against Britishers and Fadnavis is now teaching us about jihad. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Devendra Fadnavis together cannot defeat me in a debate,” he said.
“We gave the method of fighting against the British. He (Fadnavis) said ‘vote jihad’ after they (BJP) didn’t get votes in Malegaon (during Lok Sabha election). When they fail to get votes, they call it jihad. They lost in Ayodhya. How did that happen”? Owaisi questioned.
Owaisi also highlighted the shifting of industrial projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat and questioned Fadnavis’s allegiance. “Was he afraid of Narendra Modi?” Owaisi asked.
The AIMIM leader further referenced recent remarks by Hindutva seer Ramgiri Maharaj against the Prophet, emphasizing that such disrespect would not be tolerated.
Encouraging the crowd to vote on November 20, Owaisi concluded, “Our victory in Aurangabad will be saluted by the people of India.”
