Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi ignited a fresh political controversy on Tuesday with a provocative statement on electoral cash distribution. Addressing a public rally in Latur, Owaisi suggested that voters could accept money offered by political parties during elections and use it for constructing toilets if they considered such cash unethical or 'haraam'.
A Provocative Suggestion on Election Cash
Owaisi alleged that the practice of distributing cash to voters began only after his party entered the electoral arena. "If we do not field candidates, money is not distributed at all," he claimed. He directly addressed the ethical dilemma for voters, stating, "You can take the money, and if you believe it is haraam, use it to build toilets." This remark is set to fuel the ongoing debate about the use of money power in Indian elections.
Broadside Against Modi Govt & BJP
Owaisi used the platform to launch a multi-pronged attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. He questioned the Prime Minister and the BJP for their silence on comments attributed to former US President Donald Trump, where Trump allegedly claimed Modi takes decisions to please him. Owaisi argued that such statements raise serious concerns about India's foreign policy independence.
He further criticized the government's domestic record, asserting that despite frequent talk of nationalism by the BJP, farmers continue to die by suicide and youth unemployment remains persistently high. Owaisi claimed that development has failed to reach areas dominated by Dalits and Muslims, who form a significant part of the poor population. He pointed out that basic civic issues like water scarcity and monsoon waterlogging plague these localities, despite promises by successive governments.
Targeting State Politics and Alleging Injustice
Turning to Maharashtra politics, Owaisi alleged a gradual decline in beneficiaries under the state government's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme. He launched a sharp personal attack on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, questioning his political loyalty. "If Pawar could not remain loyal to his uncle and mentor, Sharad Pawar, he could not be trusted to remain loyal to the people," Owaisi said.
On the issue of minority rights, the AIMIM chief called for stronger political representation, stating that every community in the country has political power except Muslims. He also criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Act, alleging misuse to lock mosques and dispute ownership of ancient dargahs. He highlighted an asymmetry, noting that while non-Muslims can be appointed to Muslim boards, Muslims are barred from Hindu trust boards.
Owaisi raised further questions over the death of an accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case while in jail, calling for transparency. He also targeted the Congress party, which ruled Maharashtra and Latur for years, for failing to provide basic amenities in minority areas.
The Latur rally has once again positioned Owaisi as a vocal critic of both the ruling dispensation and the opposition, focusing on issues of political ethics, minority welfare, and governance failures.
