Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi attributes the BJP’s consistent electoral victories to the opposition’s failings and the consolidation of Hindu votes, rejecting claims that he splits anti-Modi votes.
“The BJP wins because the opposition is ineffective and has secured a large portion of the Hindu vote,” Owaisi stated in an interview with PTI Videos. He dismissed accusations that his party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), benefits the BJP by dividing Muslim votes, calling it “hatred” from the opposition for his party’s representation of Muslim interests.
Opposition parties, including Congress, have criticized Owaisi’s efforts to expand his party beyond Hyderabad, arguing that it inadvertently aids the BJP. Owaisi countered by accusing these parties of neglecting Muslim concerns and treating their votes as a given.
“Every community has political leadership, except Muslims,” he argued, criticizing the exclusion of Muslims from meaningful political participation. He lamented the low representation of Muslims in legislatures and Parliament (around 4% despite comprising nearly 15% of the population).
Owaisi explained this underrepresentation by pointing out that political parties often don’t field Muslim candidates, and consequently, Muslims don’t get elected. He warned that India’s goal of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 cannot be achieved by marginalizing such a large community. He urged parties to move beyond viewing Muslims as mere vote banks and instead focus on their upliftment through education, fair treatment, and job opportunities.
“Our struggle is to be recognized as citizens, not just voters,” Owaisi asserted. While his efforts to gain wider acceptance have seen some success in states with significant Muslim populations like Bihar and Maharashtra, his strong advocacy for Muslim issues has garnered him a dedicated following within the community nationwide.
