All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent rallies in Bihar. Owaisi specifically targeted the BJP’s emphasis on “infiltrators,” questioning the validity of these claims and accusing Amit Shah of using divisive rhetoric against Muslims.
During his address, Owaisi highlighted the lack of Muslim representation in the BJP’s election campaign, noting that the party has not fielded any Muslim candidates in the Bihar assembly polls. He also pointed out that his party, AIMIM, is contesting 32 seats in Bihar, while the INDIA bloc has largely overlooked his party.
‘Infiltrators in Delhi’
Challenging Amit Shah’s repeated statements about removing infiltrators, Owaisi stated, “There is no infiltration in Bihar. If there is, then what is Amit Shah doing? Amit Shah keeps saying again and again that he’ll remove the infiltrators. Where is this infiltration?”
Owaisi further drew a parallel with India’s foreign policy, mentioning the presence of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India. He remarked, “Again and again Amit Shah and Modi, we are telling you the infiltrators are sitting in Delhi. The people of Bangladesh have thrown them out. Modi said, ‘Come, my sister.’” Owaisi previously questioned the government’s decision to host Hasina after her ouster in August 2024, suggesting she should be sent back to Bangladesh.
He also raised concerns about the effectiveness of intelligence and border security agencies under the Home Ministry’s purview if infiltration remains an issue. Additionally, Owaisi questioned the Election Commission of India’s intensive voter list revisions in Bihar, asking how many infiltrators were actually identified.
INDIA Bloc and Muslim Representation
Owaisi also turned his criticism towards the INDIA bloc for excluding AIMIM and for projecting Tejashwi Yadav as their chief ministerial candidate. He questioned why a Muslim candidate, representing 17% of Bihar’s population, couldn’t be considered for the Chief Minister post, contrasting it with the bloc’s willingness to offer the Deputy CM position to a leader representing a much smaller demographic.
Accusing parties like the Congress, RJD, and Samajwadi Party of exploiting Muslim voters, Owaisi stated, “These parties have not been able to stop the BJP but are still trying to get the votes of Muslims under the same pretext.”
Advocating for Muslim Rights
In another meeting, Owaisi also addressed issues concerning Muslim personal laws, referencing the Waqf law. He asserted the need to fight for what is right, stating, “We must fight for what is right because our elders have taught us to do so. We have been taught not to be afraid,” urging voters to support AIMIM candidates.