Congress has to take everyone along to defeat BJP, says AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi

NEW DELHI: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi addressed criticisms directed at him by 'secular' parties, pointing out that the Congress' loss in Haryana could not be blamed on his party. In a veiled reference to Congress, he said the "old party" has to take everyone along to defeat the BJP.

At a public meeting in Vikarabad, Telangana, on Friday night, Owaisi suggested that the Congress needed a more inclusive strategy to defeat the BJP. He said, "How did they (BJP) win (Haryana)? I was not there. Otherwise, they would have said 'B Team'... They lost there. Now, you tell me, they lost because of whom?"
Emphasizing the need for unity among opposition parties, he added, "I would like to tell the old party. Understand what I am saying. You have to take everyone along to defeat Modi. You will not be able to do anything alone."

'Asaduddin Owaisi is B team of Congress party & INDI Alliance'

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said on Asaduddin Owaisi's tweet, "It is clear today that if Asaduddin Owaisi was anyone's B team, it was of Congress party and INDI Alliance. Initially, they were contesting separately so that they could unite the vote bank of Muslim community and create fear in that community.

"Now it is clear that entire INDI Alliance is only attempting to create fear in the Muslim community and lying to them. So, they are fearful that their vote bank will vote for development. Real communal politics is being done by Asaduddin Owaisi, Rahul Gandhi and INDI Alliance," he added.

The BJP secured a third consecutive victory in Haryana, despite anti-incumbency sentiments, winning 48 out of 90 assembly seats, crossing the simple majority mark of 46.
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