Kolkata, 25 March (H.S.): Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, on Wednesday dismissed allegations by the Trinamool Congress that his party was receiving funds from the Bharatiya Janata Party to contest minority-dominated seats in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in Dum Dum on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, Owaisi termed the allegations “completely baseless.” In a sarcastic remark, he said that if such claims were true, he would allocate 90 percent of the funds to Abhishek Banerjee, keep five percent for himself, and give the remaining five percent to his “brother” Humayun Kabir.

Kabir, who was also present at the press meet, recently formed a new political outfit, the Aam Aadmi Unnayan Party, after being suspended from the Trinamool Congress.

Owaisi further stated that his party has entered into a seat-sharing arrangement with the Aam Aadmi Unnayan Party for the West Bengal Assembly elections. According to him, both parties are contesting several constituencies across the state, particularly in areas with a significant minority voter base.

Responding to the Trinamool Congress’s allegations, Owaisi questioned whether he had any role in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s electoral growth in the state, from securing just three assemblly seats in 2016 to 77 in 2021. “Did I do that? Have I become so powerful?” he asked.

He asserted that his party is contesting the elections based on its actual political strength. Owaisi also accused the Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of exploiting the sentiments of the Muslim community for political gains, alleging that despite repeated electoral victories, the expected development of the minority community in the state has not been achieved.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh