Owaisi Challenges Fadnavis Over 'Vote Jihad' Remarks

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis for his 'vote jihad' comments, claiming they violate democratic norms and accusing BJP's ancestors of compromising with the British. Owaisi also argued that Modi's slogan undermines India's diversity and urged for electoral participation in Aurangabad.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of AIMIM, launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his contentious 'vote jihad' comments. Owaisi accused Fadnavis and BJP leaders of following an ideological path that involved negotiating with colonial powers, contrasting it with his ancestors' resistance against the British.

During a public address, Owaisi argued that the BJP's narrow loss in Dhule and their failure in Malegaon and Ayodhya led Fadnavis to weaponize the concept of 'jihad' in a political context. He contended that such rhetoric undermines democratic values and alleged it amounted to violations of the electoral code.

Owaisi also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Hai to Safe Hai' slogan, suggesting it was an attack on the nation's diversity ethos. He urged the public to vote in the upcoming elections, staunchly defending the rights of the Maratha community and rebuking industrial shifts to Gujarat under Fadnavis' watch.

(With inputs from agencies.)