On Wednesday, BJP leader Navneet Rana delivered a speech in Hyderabad while campaigning for the party’s Hyderabad Lok Sabha candidate Madhavi Latha, which sparked a controversy. Rana cited AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi’s 2012 address in Nirmal, Telangana, when he stated that removing police for 15 minutes would allow his group to demonstrate its capabilities to 100 crore Hindus. I say, “It might take you 15 minutes, but it will only take us 15 seconds.”
On May 8, Rana made this comment while campaigning with numerous other BJP leaders. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi responded to her words, saying, “I am requesting Modi ji, give her 15 seconds. What are you going to do? Give her 15 seconds; give her an hour. We also want to know if you still have any humanity in you. Who’s scared? We’re all ready. If someone is making open calls like this, leave it be. PM, RSS, and everything are yours. Do it. Who is preventing you? Tell us where we need to go, and we’ll come.
Rana also stated in her address that Latha will triumph and keep Hyderabad from joining Pakistan. “Your vote for AIMIM or Congress goes to Pakistan. Pakistan expresses affection for AIMIM and Rahul. Congress has dominated this nation at the behest of Pakistan.” Latha, Chairperson of Virinchi Hospitals, is running against four-time MP Owaisi in what has been a contentious and divisive campaign. It is a tough battle for the BJP. In the 2019 elections, Owaisi defeated his nearest challenger, BJP’s Bhagavanth Rao Pawar, by a margin of 2,82,186 votes. He earned 5,17,471 votes.
Last month, Latha apologized when a video surfaced showing her symbolically launching an arrow in the direction of a mosque during the Sri Rama Navami event. As the video became popular on social media, Latha stated, “It has come to my attention that one of my videos is being disseminated in the media to spread hatred. I’d want to explain that this is an imperfect picture. But if anyone’s feelings are wounded, I’d like to apologize since I respect everyone.” Owaisi had described her performance as nasty and offensive.
