Hyderabad: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has said the Congress has weakened the spirit of secularism by its arrogance, politics of entitlement and arm-twisting tactics. Mr Owaisi claimed that Muslims have high representation only in prisons, just as Dalits are represented adequately only in manual scavenging. However, they are lagging far behind in crucial fields.
As reported by Deccan Chronicle, Mr Owaisi refused to disclose if Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had consulted him on the decision to dissolve the Assembly and hold early elections. However, he termed the decision as bold and confident. DC has quoted him as saying “Mr Rao has delivered on all fronts. Despite being a new state, with several bifurcation issues, he has ensured we grew, opportunities were created for everyone, there were no riots or lynchings, no major law and order problems, and the best social welfare schemes in the entire country. He will be the next Chief Minister of a stable government.”
Dismissing Congress’ claim that TRS is a clandestine ally of the BJP and the party will join the NDA government after 2019, Mr Owaisi said, “If the Congress still has a soul, let it do some soul searching. You partner with an Andhra party whose sole philosophy was to oppose the Congress. TD became secular after being a partner of Modi for four years.”
He urged every Indian to protect the value of secularism. He asked, “Why should only Muslims have to protect secularism? Should not every Indian have to protect it? Does it take the Supreme Court to remind the Centre that protecting people from mob lynching and ensuring fundamental rights for all citizens, including the right to life, is their duty?”