New Delhi: The MIM’s entry into Bihar has given Muslims and Dalits an opportunity to look at another alternative. Mr Owaisi, now emerging as the face of Indian Muslims, had also contested the Maharashtra Assembly polls and got two seats. Over a period of time, his rise has often been compared to that of BSP icon Kanshi Ram. In Bihar he has time and again said that despite tall claims, development has not reached the Dalits, particularly in the Seemanchal region. If Mr Owaisi can bring these two votebanks together under his umbrella, he could emerge as one of the leading faces among Muslims across the country.
While all other secular outfits have at one point or another flirted with the BJP, Mr Owaisi has been consistent in taking on the Hindutva politics pursued by the BJP, his supporters say. Going to the extent of attacking the PM, he had said, “The BJP and its ideological parent, RSS, are committed to destroy the pluralism of our nation. They are my only enemies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance of equal development is all hypocrisy.”
Mr Owaisi had also taken on the JD(U)-RJD-Congress combine, and had told,“I would like to ask them, why have they failed to provide development to Muslims and dalits during their tenure in Bihar?”
While the grand secular alliance of the JD(U), RJD and the Congress has claimed the MIM “has been propped up by the BJP”, Mr Owaisi’s move to venture into Bihar is a move expand his base across the country. He had earlier said that to expand his base, “contesting elections is a natural process”, and that after all “Bihar is part of India”. “I do not need anyone’s permission to go anywhere within my country,” he had said.
