AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Hits Back At Mamata Banerjee After Her 'Minority Extremism' Remark

It all started on Monday when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief at an event in Cooch Behar said that extremism is emerging among minorities just as there are extremists among Hindus.

Owaisi asserted that the social indicators of the Muslims population in Bengal reflect poor conditions in the state. (Getty Image)

Kolkata: A day after Mamata Banerjee slammed All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi for allegedly dividing communities by doing 'minority extremism', the later shot back on Tuesday by saying that the West Bengal Chief Minister  is ignoring that plight of Muslims and giving a message that Owaisi's party has become a formidable force in the state. "By making allegations against me you are giving the message to the Muslim population of Bengal that Owaisi's party has become a formidable force in the state. By making such comments, Banerjee is showcasing her fear and frustration," Owaisi told news agency ANI. The AIMIM chief said that he is fighting for the realisation of the constitutional rights, political, social and educational empowerment of Muslims. "We are fighting for justice. If the Chief Minister of West Bengal sees this as extremism, then there is nothing I can do," Owaisi said. "Extremism is when you (Banerjee) let BJP win in 18 seats. Extremism is when you disrespect the Muslims in the state by abusing me when you could not even stop the BJP even after 100 per cent of the Muslims voted for you," he added. Owaisi asserted that the social indicators of the Muslims population in Bengal reflect poor conditions in the state. "I appeal Banerjee to start working on empowerment of Muslims on the ground level. Those who stand against so-called secular parties are termed extreme. Those who stand against BJP are termed Jinnah-2 and anti-national," he said. The leader also responded to Banerjee's allegations of AIMIM being in league with the BJP, saying: "We are the A team now. The party is growing stronger. We have won seats in Kishanganj and Aurangabad. People of Bengal did not have an option so far, they have now".

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM: By making allegations against me you are giving the message to Muslims of Bengal that Owaisi's party has become a formidable force in the state. Mamata Banerjee is showcasing her fear & frustration by making such comments. https://t.co/SQ9iLcMzUc pic.twitter.com/obG19iGu8L

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2019

It all started on Monday when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief at an event in Cooch Behar said that extremism is emerging among minorities just as there are extremists among Hindus. "Extremism is coming out among the minorities, just as there are extremists among the Hindus. There is a political party and they are taking money from the BJP, they are from Hyderabad, not from West Bengal," she had said. Though the West Bengal CM did not specifically named the AIMIM or Owaisi in her speech, but it was a clear indication to them when she said they were based out of Hyderabad. Owaisi is the MP from Hyderabad. Banerjee said the AIMIM was creating differences and also asked minorities not to make the mistake of 'trusting these forces'. However, reacting to the same, AIMIM chief taunted at TMC chief asking that if Didi is worried about a bunch of us 'from Hyderabad' then she should tell us how the BJP won 18 of 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal. In Lok Sabha elections 2o19, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made huge inroads in West Bengal, ruled by Banerjee since 2011. TMC is trying is best to regain the lost grounds and retain power for the much crucial state Assembly elections scheduled to happen in 2021.