All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief and MP from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi launched a scathing attack on the ruling Samajwadi Party on Thursday, accusing it of reneging on promises made to the Muslims. He was addressing his first ever public rally in UP at Bikapur Assembly segment of Faizabad which goes to by poll on February 13. The MIM has is contesting its first first ever election in UP and has fielded a dalit candidate from the Bikapur seat. The SP regime durin the last four years has carefully denied permission to Owaisi for addressing public meetings in Azamgarh, Agra, Allahabad and other places in UP. Owaisi will address another public meeting in Bikapur onFebruary 7, while his younger brother and MlA in Telengana Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi is also scheduled to address a meeting at the assembly segment on February 11
Targeting the SP, Owaisi said by way of questioning, “Why is the SP regime so scared of my party espousing the cause of dalit-muslim unity. Why has it prevented us from holding public meetings in UP.’’
“CM Akhilesh Yadav can deny me permission to address public meetings in UP. But he cannot arrest the rising graph of popularity of the MIM in UP. My party will ensure that the SP never returns to power in UP,’’ asserted Owaisi.
Taking a potshot on the criticism of the CM by his father Mulayam Singh, the MIM leader said, “The people of UP are now sick of this drama and the curtains will soon come down on this party and its government.’’
Referring to the killing of Akhlaq in Dadri and displacement of Muslims post riots in Muzaffarnagar, Owaisi said, “You have seen the true face of the SP in both places. Now it’s time to shun the party and support the MIM.’’
Explaining his political agenda in UP, Owaisi said, “We want to build a credible and formidable alliance of dalit and minorities. If these two join hands, they will dislodge parties in the habit of peddling secularism to cheat Muslims and drastically change the politics of UP forever.” Bikapur has been a stronghold of the ruling SP and Muslims of this segment have been loyal to the party. Bypoll to this seat was necessitated by the death of SP legislator Mitresen Yadav. The SP has fielded his son Anandsen Yadav.