Hyderabad: Muslim leadership remarks by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi triggered a political response, as BJP leader N. Ramachandra Rao strongly countered his statements on representation.
Owaisi said Muslims lacked independent political leadership despite other groups having it. He made the remarks during a public meeting linked to the West Bengal Assembly elections. He added that Muslims were being reduced to voters and needed to build their own leadership.
However, Ramachandra Rao rejected the claim and questioned the need for separate leadership. He referred to remarks attributed to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He said Congress already represented Muslim interests and asked why a separate leadership was required.
Muslim leadership remarks trigger wider political debate
Ramachandra Rao said the claim about lack of leadership was not valid. He argued that several Muslim leaders were already part of the Congress party. He also said the BJP did not promote leadership based on caste or community lines.
Additionally, he said the party worked for the welfare of all sections. He included backward classes, Dalits and tribal groups in this claim. He accused Owaisi of making divisive statements for political gain and advised him to avoid such remarks.
The BJP intensified its criticism following Owaisi’s speech at the public meeting. The exchange has added to the ongoing political debate in Telangana.
