Bihar elections: Owaisi blames RJD for BJP's rise; asks Cong 'not to teach secularism'

AIMIM chief Asuddin Owaisi on Monday blamed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for rise of BJP in Bihar and dismissed suggestions that his party was in election arena in state to split secular votes and help saffron party.

He also slammed Congress, an ally of RJD, castigating it for contesting Maharashtra assembly elections toger with his All India Majlis-e-Ittehul- Muslimeen (AIMIM) but later joining hands with Shiv Sena, " demolishers of Babri mosque", and forming a coalition government in western state.

'Congress shall t teach us secularism'

"Congress shall t teach us secularism," Hyderab MP told PTI-Bhasha in an interview in Patna.  AIMIM leer wondered why some in RJD were calling him "vote katua" (a vote splitter) who has jumped into election arena to help BJP.

"How was my party responsible for RJD's complete rout in 2019 Lok Sabha elections in a state party calls its 'garh' (fort)?" he asked. "What happened to se so-called 'kedar' (contractors) of anti-BJP votes in 2019 general elections?" he asked while mocking RJD-Congress alliance that claims to be pro-mirity and secular. "I fail to understand on what basis y claim sole ownership of Muslim votes in Bihar," he said.

Owaisi said United Democratic Secular Alliance (USDA) that he has forged with Devendra Pras Yav, is also in talks with or parties and fronts. "People of Bihar are feeling suffocated today due to misrule of two major alliances and are looking for a better alternative...we will try to fulfil ir hope with a strong coalition of secular forces," AIMIM chief said.

AIMIM recently won Muslim-dominated Kishanganj assembly seat in a by-election earlier this year. It w looks forward to increasing its footprint in Bihar where Muslims have largely voted for Lalu Pras's RJD for many years.

RE | Bengal becoming Mafia-ruled state like UP, Bihar: BJP's Dilip Ghosh

RE | Bihar elections: ECI holds Observers' briefing ahe of 'world's largest' polls amid COVID

Bihar elections

Bihar Assembly elections will be held in three phases with polling to take place on October 28, and vember 3 and 7, with counting of votes to take place on vember 10. In 2015 Assembly polls, JDU, RJD, and Congress h fought elections toger under Mahagathbandhan banner.

On or hand, BJP-led NDA h fought elections with Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and or allies. After polls, however, a rift emerged between JDU and RJD in 2017, leing to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar snapping ties and rejoining ties with BJP-led NDA to retain power in Bihar.

RE | Bihar elections: CWG gold medalist shooter Shreyasi Singh joins BJP

RE | Bihar Election: BJP CEC to meet on Oct 4 to decide candidates; LJP may settle for 30 seats

Owaisi blames RJD for BJP's rise in Bihar; asks Congress 't to teach secularism'