In a significant political address, AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi made a fervent appeal for unity and substantial financial support to tackle the deep-rooted problems of Maharashtra's Marathwada region. Speaking at an election rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Sunday, the prominent politician demanded funds worth Rs 50,000 crore for the Marathwada Statutory Development Board.
A Call for Unity and Substantial Funding
Owaisi, the younger brother of AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, emphasized that the challenges facing Marathwada require collective action. He stated that the Marathwada Statutory Development Board has existed only on paper since its inception, severely lacking the necessary funds to function effectively. The leader argued that renaming cities is a superficial gesture that does nothing to address the region's critical issues, which include farmer suicides, acute water scarcity, and a severe lack of healthcare facilities.
Voice for All Oppressed Sections
While the AIMIM is often associated with advocating for Muslim issues, Akbaruddin Owaisi positioned his party as a voice for all marginalized communities. He expressed support for quota activist Manoj Jarange but clarified that the Maratha community is not the only backward group in Marathwada. "The entire Marathwada region is backward," he asserted. Owaisi declared that his party represents Dalits, Marathas, other backward classes, and every weaker section of society, promising to highlight their issues and bring them into the mainstream, "even if the person is a Brahmin."
Sharp Critique of Ruling Alliances and Ideology
The AIMIM leader used the platform to launch a sharp attack on the ruling political parties and the shifting alliances within Maharashtra. He accused them of raking up non-issues involving Muslims to hide their failures in addressing the core problems of the general public. In a series of pointed rhetorical questions, Owaisi challenged the ideological consistency of major political players. "I want to know whether Uddhav Thackeray has taught a lesson on Hindutva to members of the Gandhi family, or did they give him a lesson on secularism," he questioned. He further asked, "Whether Ajit Pawar taught a lesson on corruption to Modi and Yogi? Where is the core ideology for these parties, and where are their fundamentals?"
Owaisi also made a broader nationalistic argument, stating that those who instigate battles between Hindus and Muslims ultimately weaken the nation. The rally witnessed a massive crowd, indicating significant local interest in the issues he raised. His speech underscored a strategic push to broaden AIMIM's appeal beyond its traditional voter base by championing regional development and socio-economic justice for all oppressed groups in Marathwada.
