Lok Sabha Polls: Fielding Hindutva Face Shows BJP Not Serious About Winning Hyderabad, Says Telangana CM

Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy alleged that there is a tacit understanding between BJP and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. (Image: PTI/File)

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy said the BJP was doing a favour to sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi by fielding a hardcore Hindutva face and ensuring that 60% of the Muslim vote is consolidated towards the AIMIM leader

Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy questioned if the BJP was serious about winning the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency. He argued that the party was doing a favour to sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi by fielding a hardcore Hindutva face and ensuring that 60 per cent of the Muslim vote is consolidated towards the AIMIM leader.

Alleging that this is a part of a tacit understanding between the BJP and Owaisi, Reddy said the saffron party is helping him in Hyderabad by fielding a Hindutva face. He added that Owaisi’s speeches, meanwhile, are helping consolidate Hindu votes across India, including neutral voters.

“The BJP should have fielded a Muslim candidate if they were serious about winning Hyderabad. By fielding a Hindutva face, you are ensuring that 50% to 60% voters, who are Muslims, will vote for him (Owaisi). Will any Muslim vote for them there? Can they win with just 40 per cent of other voters? It is all an understanding. They will use his speeches to get Hindu votes across the country,” he said.

The Congress is yet to declare a candidate for the Hyderabad seat.

The chief minister also accused the BRS of having an “understanding” with the BJP. He said the BRS is a non-player in Telangana this time. “This is an election where people will vote to either remove Modi or continue him. Those who want to remove him will vote for the Congress, those who want him will vote for the BJP,” he said.

Reddy said he is confident that the Congress will win at least 14 to 15 seats in the state and the BRS will not be able to open its account.

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