Owaisi defends his brother’s remarks against poll official

In a recent controversy surrounding inflammatory remarks made by Akbaruddin Owaisi, brother of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, against a poll official, Asaduddin Owaisi has come forward to defend his sibling’s statement.

The controversy arose when Akbaruddin Owaisi, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Chandrayangutta constituency in Hyderabad, made a provocative comment during a public rally. He stated, “If the time was 10:01 pm, you have the right to stop us,” implying that after a specific time, election officials should not interfere with their campaign activities.

The Election Commission took notice of the remarks and issued a show-cause notice to Akbaruddin Owaisi, seeking an explanation for the comments that have been widely criticized for their potential to incite violence and disrupt the electoral process.

In response to the controversy, Asaduddin Owaisi, the AIMIM chief and Member of Parliament, defended his brother’s remarks, stating that the comments were taken out of context. He argued that Akbaruddin Owaisi emphasised the need for fairness in the election process and that the specific time mentioned was symbolic.

“Asad bhai” (referring to Asaduddin Owaisi) clarified that his brother was trying to convey that election officials should not favour any political party and should ensure a level playing field for all candidates. He added that the statement was not meant to encourage violence or confrontation with election authorities.

While defending his brother, Asaduddin Owaisi also criticized the Election Commission’s decision to issue a show-cause notice, claiming that it was an attempt to suppress their legitimate concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.

The remarks made by Akbaruddin Owaisi have sparked a heated debate, with political opponents accusing the AIMIM of trying to intimidate election officials and manipulate the electoral process in their favour. The controversy comes at a crucial time as the state gears up for upcoming elections, and political tensions are running high.

The Election Commission’s decision on how to proceed with the show-cause notice and the fallout from these controversial remarks will likely play a significant role in shaping the narrative around the AIMIM in the coming days.