06 January,2026 08:39 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondent
AIMIM leader Assaduddin Owaisi. File pic
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday alleged that the Mahayuti constituents are doing a âdrama' of contesting the Latur civic body polls independently, news agency PTI reported.
While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Owaisi said, "Leaders of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP sit together in Mumbai, while a drama goes on here of separate contests."
Owaisi further said that AIMIM candidates are receiving an excellent response from people, and they will win the upcoming polls to municipal corporations.
He also highlighted that voters can accept money being distributed by political parties during elections and use it for constructing toilets if they feel it is an unethical practice.
Addressing a rally for the upcoming Latur and Maharashtra civic polls, Owaisi attacked the Narendra Modi Government over its foreign policy and also criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
"Rival political parties started distributing cash among voters only after the AIMIM entered the fray. Had we not fielded candidates, money wouldn't have been distributed.... Take money, and if you feel it is unethical and 'haram' (illegitimate), use it to build toilets," said Owaisi.
Owaisi called upon Muslims to build strong political leadership, stating that every community has political power except minorities, PTI reported.
He added that Dalits and Muslims form a large section of the poor population, yet development has not reached their areas.
Slamming the ruling party ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls, he said, "The BJP speaks of nationalism, but farmers are dying, youths are unemployed, and all they talk about is love jihad."
Owaisi further alleged that Prime Minister Modi and the BJP remain silent about US President Donald Trump, "who says in an aeroplane that Modi takes decisions to please me".
The AIMIM chief claimed that the Maharashtra Government's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme has seen a steady reduction in beneficiaries, PTI reported.
"The government had taken loans worth Rs 9.30 lakh crore. Who would repay the debt," he questioned.
Owaisi also targeted Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, stating that if he didn't remain loyal to his uncle and political mentor, Sharad Pawar, how could he be loyal to the people?
On the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Owaisi alleged that the law is being misused to lock mosques and challenge ownership of centuries-old dargahs, PTI reported.
The Hyderabad MP further said, "Under the amended Act, non-Muslims can become members of Muslim boards, but Muslims cannot be members of Hindu trust boards. What was Ajit Pawar doing when this bill was passed."
Targeting the Congress, Owaisi stated that the party ruled Maharashtra and Latur city for several years, yet failed to provide basic amenities.
(With inputs from PTI)
