Telangana CM Says BJP Uses Owaisi to Get Votes

Telangana's Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has said that the BJP party uses Asaduddin Owaisi, a leader from another party, as a way to get votes. He said the BJP talks against Owaisi but secretly uses his name to make people emotional during elections. Reddy also said that the AIMIM party, led by Owaisi, is a normal political party that follows election rules.
By Newsroom | Politics, Telangana |

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi as a "political scarecrow" and their "only God" to win votes, rather than focusing on actual governance. Reddy stated that the BJP publicly portrays Owaisi as an adversary but privately relies on his name to mobilize voters and stir emotions during elections. This strategy, according to the Chief Minister, demonstrates a "poverty of thought" and constitutes divisive politics.

Political Landscape and Reddy's Allegations

During a press conference in Hyderabad on Monday, February 9, 2026, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy articulated a sharp critique of the BJP's political strategy. He alleged that the saffron party consistently presents Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), as a villain. However, Reddy contends that this public posturing belies a deeper reliance on Owaisi's name for electoral gains.

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‘Owaisi is BJP’s only God’: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy targets Saffron party - 1

  • Reddy asserted that while the BJP invokes the name of Lord Ram, their "real lifeline" and "only God" is Asaduddin Owaisi.

  • He characterized the BJP's approach as turning Owaisi into an "Aladdin's magic lamp" for votes, suggesting his name is used to conjure electoral success.

  • The Chief Minister questioned the BJP's inaction against Owaisi if they truly view him as a threat, particularly given their control of the central government and several state governments.

The central argument put forth by Reddy is that the BJP employs Owaisi as a convenient symbol to generate emotional responses and polarize voters, thereby circumventing the need for substantive governance or policy discussion.

AIMIM's Status as a Democratic Party

Revanth Reddy emphasized that the AIMIM is a recognized political party operating within the democratic framework of India. He highlighted that the AIMIM contests elections in various states and achieves victories or defeats based on the will of the electorate.

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  • "AIMIM is also a democratic party," Reddy stated, underscoring its legitimacy as a participant in the electoral process.

  • He pointed out that the party has a presence and contests elections in states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.

  • This assertion serves to frame the BJP's alleged reliance on Owaisi as a tactic against a legitimate political entity, rather than an opposition to an external threat.

BJP's Counterpoint and Political Debates

In response to Reddy's statements, the BJP has dismissed the allegations as baseless and has, in turn, challenged the Telangana Chief Minister. A significant point of contention has arisen concerning the practice of wearing skullcaps by Congress leaders during election campaigns.

  • Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, a senior BJP leader, criticized Revanth Reddy and other Congress leaders for wearing skullcaps during campaigning for the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election.

  • Sanjay challenged Reddy to get Asaduddin Owaisi to perform an "aarti" at the Bhagya Lakshmi temple in Hyderabad, questioning whether Owaisi or his brother, Akbaruddin Owaisi, had ever offered prayers at the temple.

  • The BJP has suggested that if Reddy has the courage, he should facilitate Owaisi's visit to a temple, implying a lack of reciprocity or shared respect for Hindu religious practices from AIMIM leaders.

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This exchange suggests a broader political debate around religious symbolism and perceived alliances, with the BJP attempting to cast Reddy's Congress party in an unfavorable light regarding its relationship with minority appeasement and its stance on religious sensitivities.

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Expert Analysis

Political analysts observe that Reddy's statements are part of a strategic maneuver to frame the BJP's electoral narrative as dependent on manufactured controversies and divisive tactics rather than on policy achievements. By highlighting the perceived contradiction between the BJP's public rhetoric and its alleged reliance on Owaisi, Reddy aims to erode the BJP's image as a party focused on national development.

  • The accusation that the BJP uses Owaisi as a "scarecrow" or "Aladdin's magic lamp" aims to paint the party as lacking original ideas and resorting to predictable, emotionally charged campaigns.

  • The counter-arguments from the BJP, focusing on the wearing of skullcaps and challenging Owaisi to temple rituals, are seen as attempts to deflect from Reddy's core accusation and shift the focus onto perceived minority appeasement by the Congress.

  • This dynamic illustrates a common feature of Indian politics where religious and community identities are often invoked to mobilize electoral support.

Conclusion and Implications

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's direct accusations against the BJP's use of Asaduddin Owaisi have ignited a fresh political debate in Telangana and beyond. Reddy's central thesis is that the BJP leverages Owaisi as a political instrument for electoral gain, a strategy he terms a "poverty of thought" and "divisive politics." He frames the AIMIM as a legitimate democratic entity, thereby questioning the BJP's motives for allegedly capitalizing on its presence without taking decisive action.

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The BJP's response, led by figures like Bandi Sanjay Kumar, has been to dismiss these claims and pivot to criticizing Reddy's own political gestures, particularly his appearance in a skullcap during campaigning. The challenge to get Owaisi to perform temple rituals highlights the BJP's attempt to frame the political discourse around religious sensitivities and perceived alliances.

The implications of this exchange are manifold:

  • For the BJP: Reddy's allegations put pressure on the party to defend its electoral strategies and address questions about its narrative construction.

  • For the Congress: Reddy's stance positions the party as a direct challenger to the BJP's ideological approach, potentially appealing to voters weary of perceived divisive politics.

  • For the AIMIM: The focus on Owaisi, whether as a tool or an adversary, keeps the party in the political spotlight, though potentially on terms dictated by its rivals.

  • For Telangana Politics: The exchange signals a more assertive and confrontational political environment, with parties actively seeking to define each other's core strategies and identities.

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The ongoing debate suggests that issues of religious identity, electoral strategy, and governance will continue to be central themes in the political discourse of the region.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the Telangana Chief Minister say about the BJP and Owaisi?
He said the BJP uses Owaisi's name to get votes by making people emotional, instead of focusing on good work. He called this a 'political scarecrow'.
Q: Is the AIMIM party considered a real political party?
Yes, the Chief Minister said that the AIMIM is a recognized political party that follows election rules and wins or loses based on votes.
Q: How did the BJP respond to these claims?
The BJP leaders said the claims are not true. One leader challenged the Chief Minister to make Owaisi visit a Hindu temple, and also criticized Congress leaders for wearing religious caps during campaigns.
Q: What is the main idea behind the Chief Minister's statement?
He thinks the BJP uses Owaisi as a symbol to create strong feelings and divide voters, rather than talking about real plans for the country.