Bengal parties exploited Muslims, did nothing for them: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

BEHRAMPORE: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday alleged that Trinamool Congress and other parties in Bengal exploited Muslims for votes but did nothing for them,.

Owaisi, while addressing a poll rally at Naoda in Murshidabad in support of candidates fielded by Humayun Kabir's Aam Janata Unnayan Party, said Muslims had voted for the governing parties or alliances in the state over the past 50 years — Congress, Left Front and TMC — but their condition has not improved.



"We have joined hands with Kabir for the sake of Muslims in Bengal, to ensure greater representation (of the community) in political decision-making and for their true development. Together, we will give a jolt to Mamata Banerjee and her party," Owaisi said. "Time has come to elect Muslim netas who can bring about your economic development."

The AIMIM neta said only 7% of state govt employees are Muslims, though the community accounts for 30% of Bengal's population.

"It's time exploitation of Muslims stopped. To ensure that, elect netas who can ensure economic development while remaining true to the secular, inclusive spirit of India, which is being violated by both BJP and TMC," he told the large gathering.

"We oppose SIR. Our writ petition on this matter is still pending before Supreme Court. Citizenship is not within the purview of EC" Owaisi later told reporters.

(With agency inputs)