Owaisi counters Mamata over 'minority extremism' jibe

Reacting to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s veiled attack on the AMIM, Asadduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said that Muslims in Bengal rank at the bottom in terms of human development indicators. His comments come a day after Banerjee said at a party meeting in Cooch Behar that should not listen to “extremists among minorities” who are based in Hyderabad.

“It’s not religious extremism to say that Bengal’s Muslims have one of the worst human development indicators of any minority,” tweeted Owaisi.

He also said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo should first explain how BJP was able to win 18 seats Bengal.

“If Didi is worried about a bunch of us “from Hyderabad” then she should tell us how BJP won 18/42 LS seats from Bengal,” tweeted Owaisi.

Speaking to a news channel the AMIM chief fired another slave at Banerjee saying that Muslims do not care about her “dramatics” like wearing a skull cap anymore and want empowerment.

“The human development index of Muslims are the worst in West Bengal. Why can’t she improve it? She has to understand that Muslims have now changed. They don’t care about your dramatics of wearing a skull cap and praying (in Islamic manner),” said Owaisi.

He also said that Muslims want empowerment and asked Banerjee what has she done about it.

“We want empowerment (of Muslims). What have you (Banerjee) done about it? You are running the government in Bengal for many years and then BJP wins 18 seats in Bengal. I have not held a single rally there and you are becoming agitated,” said Owaisi.

He further alleged that Banerjee has failed to stop BJP in Bengal and said that AMIM will contest elections in Bengal adding that Banerjee’s charge against his party prove that they have become “ a force to be reckoned with” in Bengal.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday said that among Muslims also there are some “extremist elements who take money from BJP and are based in Hyderabad.”

She also said that some leaders of that group have recently held a meeting in north Bengal and claimed that they will ensure the protection of Muslims. She urged people not to listen to them.