“Owaisi Calls for Independent Muslim Leadership After Bengal Poll Results, Criticises ‘Soft Hindutva’ Politics”
A day after the results of the West Bengal Assembly elections were declared, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi made a strong political statement, urging Muslims to build their own independent leadership instead of relying on what he described as “so-called secular parties.”
Speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Owaisi argued that these parties have repeatedly failed to counter the rise of the BJP.
Owaisi’s own party had contested 11 seats in West Bengal but failed to win any, securing a marginal vote share of just 0.09%.
Despite this, he used the moment to reflect on broader political trends, particularly the positioning of regional and national parties that claim to represent secular values.
Criticising these parties, Owaisi said that many of them have, over time, adopted what he termed “soft Hindutva” strategies in an attempt to remain politically relevant.
He cited examples from across the country, pointing to Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction in Maharashtra, and even the undivided Nationalist Congress Party.
He also included West Bengal’s former ruling leadership under Mamata Banerjee in this list, saying similar tactics were visible there as well.
According to Owaisi, despite these efforts, such strategies have not yielded lasting political success.
He pointed out that Kejriwal lost power in Delhi, and Banerjee, after being in office for 15 years, has now faced defeat in Bengal.
He argued that beyond political narratives, ground realities tell a different story—especially for Muslims in the state.
Referring to districts like Malda and Murshidabad, Owaisi said that socio-economic conditions among Muslims, particularly women, reflect deep marginalisation and poverty.
He claimed that official data and on-ground observations both point to a lack of meaningful development for the community, challenging what he described as the constructed image of Mamata Banerjee as a liberal and secular leader.
He further stated that anti-incumbency played a major role in the election outcome and that voters had grown disillusioned with the existing leadership.
In a more direct appeal, Owaisi urged Muslims to rethink their political choices.
He argued that continued support for secular parties has not translated into tangible progress or protection of community interests.
“Your vote is getting wasted,” he said, suggesting that independent political representation would at least ensure a stronger voice against marginalisation and injustice.
Owaisi also made a historical reference, alleging that Mamata Banerjee had indirectly contributed to the BJP’s early growth in West Bengal.
He pointed out that in 1998, the first BJP Member of Parliament from the state, Tapan Sikdar, was elected with support from the Trinamool Congress.
He further noted that Banerjee had been part of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Cabinet as Railway Minister, highlighting past political alignments.
At the same time, Owaisi acknowledged the democratic verdict in West Bengal, stating that the people’s decision to bring the BJP to power must be respected.
Shifting focus to Kerala, he congratulated the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) for its victory over the Left Democratic Alliance (LDF).
He expressed confidence that legislators from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally in the UDF, would work to safeguard the interests of Muslims in the state.
Owaisi concluded by reiterating his central message: that the time has come for Muslims to unite politically and build leadership from within, rather than placing their trust in parties that, in his view, have consistently fallen short of delivering equity and justice.
