Narendra Modi became PM due to Congress' 'inefficiency': Akbaruddin Owaisi

Kishanganj: AIMIM on Sunday accused Congress of being "responsible" for the demolition of Babri Masjid and blamed its "inefficiency" for Narendra Modi's ascent to power.

"It was the Congress's inefficiency due to which Modi could reach the post of prime minister," All India Majlis-e- Ittehada-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi said at a rally here.

Akbaruddin, younger brother of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, referred to the 2002 Gujarat riots, when Modi was the chief minister of the western state, and said "had Congress acted swiftly with an iron fist against Modi and filed a charge sheet against him... He would not have become prime minister".

Further targeting Congress on the Ram Temple issue, he charged, "The party was responsible for opening the lock of the temple and subsequent demolition of the mosque (Babri Masjid)." However, he did not elaborate on the matter.

Akbaruddin also took potshots at Modi, saying, "Fifteen months have lapsed, where is 'achhe din'. Modi has become a non-resident PM. He is beating drum at one place while at another, he is giving Gita... Our country's holy book is the Constitution of India."

The Telangana MLA was addressing an election meeting at Sontha Haat under Kochadhaman Assembly constituency in Kishanganj district from where AIMIM's Bihar unit chief Akhtarul Iman has entered the poll fray.

Training his guns on the grand secular alliance of Congress, JDU and RJD, Akbaruddin said that although they sought the votes of Muslims, these parties had done nothing for the betterment and uplift of the community.

He also slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying that "he does not have any problem with BJP; rather he has personal animosity against Modi".

"If BJP declares LK Advani as prime minister, Nitish would not think twice about joining hands with the saffron party," claimed Akabaruddin.

Bihar Assembly elections will be held over five phases between October 12 and November 5. The results will be announced on November 8.

Stating that more than 50 lakh Muslims in Seemanchal region were below the poverty line while 84 per cent of the community members resided in villages in the area, the AIMIM leader asked Nitish and RJD chief Lalu Prasad to explain "what they have done for the betterment and uplift of Muslims, especially poor Muslims".

Seemanchal has a sizeable population of Muslims and AIMIM has decided to contest all the 24 seats in the four district of the region.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had on September 12 announced the decision to contest the elections in Bihar with a view to expanding the party's presence in the country.

AIMIM's decision to contest Seemanchal seats may cause some discomfort to the grand secular alliance as it may eat into their vote share.