Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized opposition parties in Telangana on Monday, asserting that voting for the Congress and All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi is equivalent to supporting the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS). During a roadshow in Peddapalli district, Shah urged voters to ensure the BJP’s victory in the upcoming state elections.
Shah stated, “Voting for Congress and Owaisi means voting for the BRS. If you vote for them, your vote will automatically go to KCR. Modi ji has decided that every woman will be given 4 gas cylinders for free. BJP has decided that our government will buy rice from all the farmers at the MSP of Rs 3,100 per quintal.”
He also mentioned that if the BJP comes to power in Telangana, the party will celebrate Hyderabad Vimochana Diwas every year on September 17. Shah accused KCR of not celebrating Hyderabad Vimochana Diwas due to Owaisi’s influence.
“Replace KCR’s corrupt government and form the BJP government, and we will put all those involved in corruption in jail,” he added.
Regarding the issue of Muslim reservation in Telangana, Shah announced the BJP’s intent to abolish it if they win the election. In response, AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi refuted the claim, stating that the BJP is “lying” as the reservation is not based on religion. Owaisi explained that the reservation is determined by empirical data on the social and educational backwardness of Muslims, as indicated in the late PS Krishnan’s report.
Assembly elections in Telangana are scheduled for a single phase on November 30, featuring a three-cornered contest between the ruling BRS, the Congress, and the BJP. The vote counting, along with that in four other states, will take place on December 3.