Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Mar 25: Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday strongly refuted claims by the Trinamool Congress that his party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), was receiving funding from the BJP to contest minority-majority constituencies in West Bengal, allegedly to split the minority vote in favor of the saffron party.

Addressing the media at Dun Dum on the city’s northern outskirts, Owaisi said, “If that were true, I’d happily hand over 90% of the funds to Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. I would keep only 5% and give the remaining 5% to my brother, Humayun Kabir.”

Humayun Kabir, who recently launched his own party, the Aam Aadmi Unnayan Party (AAUP), after being suspended from the Trinamool, was also present at the press conference. AIMIM and AAUP have a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls, focusing primarily on constituencies with substantial minority populations.

Owaisi dismissed the BJP-funding allegation, pointing out the party’s growth in West Bengal: “Did AIMIM make the BJP go from three MLAs in 2016 to 77 in 2021? How many MPs did they have before? Did I make that happen? I haven’t become that powerful, have I?” he asked rhetorically, emphasizing that AIMIM contests elections based on its actual strength.

The AIMIM leader also criticized chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress for exploiting Muslim voters while failing to deliver on promises. “Mamata Banerjee won consecutive elections with overwhelming minority support, yet the community remains deprived. Despite repeated victories, the Trinamool government has done little for the minorities,” Owaisi claimed.