Owaisi Rejects Trinamool's Claims of BJP Funding for AIMIM
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Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) Asaduddin Owaisi firmly rejected the Trinamool Congress's claims that his party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), is receiving financial support from the BJP to contest in minority-heavy Assembly seats during the upcoming two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal. The allegations suggest that AIMIM's intent is to fragment minority voters in favor of the BJP.
“If these allegations hold any truth, I am willing to donate 90 percent of the funds to the Trinamool Congress general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee. I would keep just five percent for myself and give another five percent to my brother Humayun Kabir,” Owaisi stated at a press conference held in Dun Dum, located on the northern outskirts of Kolkata.
Humayun Kabir, who recently established his own political party, the Aam Aadmi Unnayan Party (AAUP), after his suspension from the Trinamool, was present at the event.
AIMIM and AAUP have entered into a seat-sharing pact for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, focusing primarily on minority-majority constituencies.
Owaisi dismissed the allegations from Trinamool Congress about AIMIM being funded by the BJP in West Bengal, countering with a question regarding whether his party played any role in the BJP's rise from just three seats in the 2016 elections to 77 in 2021.
"When did the BJP have three MLAs? In 2016, right? Now they have surged to 77 — did I make that happen? How many MPs did the BJP possess earlier, and how many do they hold now? Did I influence that? I haven't attained such power, have I?” Owaisi challenged.
He emphasized his awareness of AIMIM’s capabilities and asserted that his party would approach the West Bengal Assembly elections grounded in that understanding.
Additionally, he accused the Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of exploiting the Muslim community and their sentiments.
"Mamata Banerjee has consistently won elections in West Bengal with substantial support from minorities. Nevertheless, the minorities have continued to be marginalized in West Bengal. After achieving repeated electoral victories, the Trinamool Congress government has failed to deliver for the minorities," Owaisi asserted.